SPECCOLL 

S 

676.3 

.A28 

1846 


DESCRIPTIVE    CATALOGUE 

or 

HORTICULTURAL 

AND 

AGRICULTURAL 

IMPLEMENTS  AND  T00LS; 

and; 

FIELD  AND  GARDEN  SEEDS; 


WITH  BRIEF  DIRECTIONS  FOR  PLANTING,  SOWING,  AND  CULTURE 

AND  RULES  FOR  THE  APPLICATION  OF  GUANO,  LIME, 

PLASTER,  BONE.DUST,  AND  OTHER  MANURES. 


ALSO  A  CHOICE  LIST   OF 

FRUIT    TREES, 

WITH  DIRECTIONS  FOR  PLANTING  OUT  AND  CULTURE, 

WITH  A   DESCRIPTION   OF 

THE    BEST   BREEDS    OF    DOMESTIC    ANIMALS, 

AND  THE  BEST  TIME  AND  MANNER  OF  TRANSPORTING  THEM  SOUTH. 


NEW  YORK: 

A.   B.   ALLEN, 

NEW  YORK  AGRICULTURAL  WAREHOUSE,  187  WATER  STREET,  N.  Y 

1846. 


I 

I 


S.  W.  BENEDICT,  Agricultural  Printer, 
16  Spruce  Street. 


1 


DESCRIPTIVE    CATALOGUE. 


PLOWS. 


i  The  plow  is  the  most  important  implement  the  farmer  uses,  he  cannot 
.therefore  be  too  particular  in  choosing  it.  They  are  now  generally  made 
of  cast-iron,  and  these  are  not  only  much  the  cheapest,  but  the  best. 
There  are  upward  of  fifty  different  kinds  of  plows  kept  in  the  New  York 
Agricultural  Warehouse,  among  which  are  the  Root-Breaker,  Prairie, 
•Sward,  Meadow,  Stubble,  Self- Sharpener,  Centre-Draft,  Corn,  Cotton, 
Rice,  Sugar-Cane,  Double-Mouldboard,  Trenching,  Paring,  Ditching,  Side- 
Hill,  Horizontal,  and  Subsoil  Plows.  They  are  of  various  sizes,  from  one 
horse  to  six,  and  are  calculated  for  all  kinds  of  soils.  Some  of  these  plows 
have  the  common,  and  some  the  Scotch  clevis ;  others  have  the  draft-rod 
fixtures ;  others  again  have  a  crane  clevis  attached  so  that  the  off  ox  can 
walk  on  the  sward  instead  of  a  miry  furrow,  in  turning  up  wet  meadows  ; 
these  plows  can  also  be  run  close  along  side  of  a  fence.  The  prices  vary 
from  $2  to  $20,  according  to  the  size  and  finish. 

The  most  celebrated  plows  are  manufactured  by  Ruggles,  Nourse  & 
Mason,  of  Worcester,  Massachusetts.  These  have  taken  more  premiums 
where  exhibited,  and  are  more  generally  approved  of,  than  any  others 
used  in  America.  Indeed  they  are  considered  by  the  best  plowmen  as 
unrivalled. 

Mr.  Nourse,  of  the  above  firm,  was  one  of  the  earliest  improvers  of  the 
plow  in  the  United  States,  having  commenced  on  them  in  the  year  1827. 
They  have  the  largest  manufacturing  establishment  in  the  United  States, 
some  account  of  which  it  may  be  gratifying  to  the  reader  to  see  copied 
here,  from  the  fourth  volume  of  the  American  Agriculturist.  It  was  writ- 
ten by  that  distinguished  friend  of  the  farmer,  Solon  Robinson,  Esq.,  of 
Indiana. 

A  Visit  to  a  Yankee  Plow  Factory. — While  in  Boston,  the  other  day,  I 
called  in  to  take  a  look  at  the  extensive  sales-rooms  of  Messrs.  Ruggles, 
Nourse,  and  Mason,  which  are  kept  in  the  great  hall  of  the  Quincy  Mar- 
ket House,  where  I  found  the  greatest  assortment  I  ever  saw  of  plows, 
harrows,  hoes,  shovels,  spades,  forks,  churns,  cheese-presses,  straw-cut- 
ters, and  an  immense  variety  of  agricultural  implements  and  seeds,  of  a 
quality  worthy  of  all  commendation.  Not  being  personally  acquainted 
with  either  of  the  partners  of  this  concern,  and  feeling  at  a  loss  to  know 
•where  to  look  over  such  a  host  of  farming  tools  as  I  had  never  before 
seen  together,  I  inquired  for  one  of  the  proprietors,  when  a  man  in  his 
shirt-sleeves,  hard  at  work,  was  pointed  out  to  me  as  Mr.  Nourse.  Not 
•having  the  fear  of  meeting  a  man  above  his  business,  I  approached  and 


4       HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

made  known  my  name  to  him,  and  instantly  received  the  welcome  of  an 
old  acquaintance,  though  known  before  only  on  paper. 

After  spending  the  day  examining  this  museum  of  specimens  of  what 
mechanical  skill  has  accomplished  for  the  benefit  of  farmers,  I  acce] 
an  invitation  from  Mr.  Nourse  to  go  out  next  day  to  Worcester,  44  miles 
by  radroad,  to  see  where  and  how  pious  are  made  by  machinery.  At  Worces- 
ter I  found  the  other  two  partners  personally  superintending  their  exten- 
sive establishment.  They  are  all  practical  mechanics,  as  well  as  farmers, 
and  Messrs.  Ruggles  and  Nourse  were  born,  if  not  plow-makers,  of  plow- 
making  fathers,  and  early  bred  to  the  business.  But  in  those  days  the 
plow  was  a  very  different  implement  from  what  it  now  is. 

I  found  them  occupying  part  of  an  immense  four  story  building,  using 
both  water  and  steam  power,  and  leasing  out  the  surplus  over  their  own 
wants  to  other  mechanics,  so  that  the  whole  building  is  full  of  active  ma- 
chinery. They  have  invented,  patented,  and  have  in  operation,  machin- 
ery for  making  the  woodwork  of  plows  so  perfect  and  complete,  that  the 
timber  is  taken  as  it  comes  from  the  saw-mill  in  plank  of  suitable  thick- 
ness ;  for  instance,  the  beam  of  any  particular  numbered  plow  is  first  cut 
upon  one  machine  into  suitable  length,  upon  another  it  is  sawed  the  right 
crook,  then  it  is  planed  upon  a  machine  that  planes  a  crooked  stick  as 
well  as  a  straight  one,  and  almost  as  rapid  as  thought.  Upon  another 
the  double  tenon  is  finished,  as  it  were,  by  one  stroke  of  their  saws;  on 
another  the  comers  are  taken  off;  and  again,  every  hole  is  bored,  as  well 
as  every  part  of  the  work  done  so  exact  to  a  gauge,  that  it  requires  scarcely 
any  after  fitting  by  hand,  and  will  suit  any  casting  of  the  size  for  which 
it  is  intended. 

The  handles  and  rounds  also  pass  through  appropriate  machines,  and 
when  they  finally  come  to  the  hands  of  the  workman  who  fits  them  to 
the  irons,  he  has  a  set  of  pattern-irons  upon  a  form  where  every  piece 
being  exactly  fitted  by  fixed  gauges,  is  passed  over  to  another  to  be  at- 
tached to  the  irons  to  which  they  respectively  belong — consequently 
every  plow  of  the  same  number,  no  matter  when  made,  must  be  exactly 
like  every  other  one. 

Such  is  the  perfection  of  the  machinery,  that  the  fourteen  hands  em- 
ployed in  this  branch  can  wood  from  50  to  80  plows  per  day,  working 
eleven  hours.  The  castings  are  made  in  a  separate  building,  and  about 
twenty  hands  are  employed  in  this  branch.  From  the  foundry  the  cast- 
ings are  brought  to  the  grinding  room  and  cleansed  of  sand  by  vitriol, 
and  then  polished  upon  grindstones.  This  is  a  tedious,  though  impor- 
tant process,  as  by  it  the  whole  of  the  exposed  parts  are  made  so  smooth 
that  the  dirt  is  not  likely  to  adhere,  and  the  plow  runs  vastly  easier. 

The  irons  are  all  made  of  the  best  quality  of  hard  tough  iron,  while  the 
edge  of  the  wing  part  and  base  of  the  land-side  is  made  so  hard,  by  be- 
ing chilled  in  the  mould,  that  the  hardest  steel  will  not  cut  it,  and  the 
point  never  wears  blunt. 

In  the  blacksmiths'  shop  I  found  eleven  men  at  work,  some  by  char- 
coal and  others  by  Lehigh  coal  fires,  blown  by  one  machine  which  fur- 
nishes wind  to  each  forge  through  pipes,  and  is  let  on  or  shut  off  by  stop- 
cocks. 

In  the  paint  shop  seven  men  are  employed  painting  and  varnishing,  the 
latter  being  preferred  by  some  because  they  can  see  the  quality  of  the 
wood — though  I  must  recommend  paint  as  far  preferable  ;  and  where  all 
the  work  is  done  by  upright  men  who  put  their  names  upon  every  arti- 
cle, buyers  need  have  no  fear  that  bad  timber  is  covered  up  with  paint 
and  putty. 

Never  have  I  spent  a  day  more  to  my  satisfaction,  than  in  looking  over 
this  establishment  for  the  manufacture  of  that  first  and  most  important  of 
all  implements — the  plow ;  and  where  I  found  near  forty  different  kinds 
and  sizes  adapted  to  all  kinds  of  land  and  work,  including  five  sizes  of 
side-hill  plows,  some  of  which  are  peculiarly  adapted  to  that  remarka- 


} 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.      5 

bly  light  soil  found  upon  the  steep  side  hills  of  Mississippi.  Messrs.  Rug- 
gles,  Nourse,  and  Mason,  are  also  making  some  excellent  cast-iron  road 
scrapers  (ox-shovels),  and  several  sizes  and  kinds  of  cultivators  and  har- 
rows, among  which  I  rank  the  Geddes  Harrows  as  the  very  best. 

They  also  make  or  have  made  almost  every  other  kind  of  agricultural 
implement;  though  as  you  will  readily  perceive,  the  principal  energies 
ot  their  active  minds  are  devoted  to  manufacturing  the  most  perfect  set 
ot  plows  that  human  ingenuity  is  capable  of  producing.  There  are  two 
other  plow  establishments  in  the  vicinity  which,  in  consequence  of  my 
feeble  health,  I  was  unable  to  visit. 

I  was  rejoiced  to  see,  that  Messrs.  Ruggles,  Nourse,  and  Mason  are  so 
constantly  crowded  with  orders  for  their  plows,  that  they  cannot  accu- 
mulate a  stock  on  hand,  which  certainly  shows  that  the  spirit  of  improve- 
ment is  actively  at  work  among  my  brother  farmers,  who  I  hope  will  be 
interested  in  this  visit  to  a  Yankee  Plow  Factory  by  their  old  friend, 

Solon  Robinson. 

REMARKS  ON  PLOWING. 

In  order  to  perform  good  work  in  sod  plowing,  the  clevis  or  caps  at  the 
end  of  the  beam  of  the  plow,  or  the  draft-rod  (if  one  is  used  instead  of  a 
clevis),  must  be  adjusted  and  confined  at  that  point,  by  moving  it  to  the 
right  or  left  if  necessary,  that  will  cause  the  plow  to  take  the  proper  width 
of  furrow  slice,  which  should  be  wider  or  narrower  according  to  the 
depth  of  furrow,  or  rather  the  thickness  of  the  furrow  slice  recpiired  ;  for 
as  the  thickness  is  increased  so  also  must  be  the  width,  in  order  to  turn 
it  easily  and  perfectly  over,  particularly  when  the  furrow  slices  are  re- 
quired to  be  laid  over  level,  and  side  by  side.  The  proportion  in  ordinary 
sod  should  be  6  inches  by  12  inches,  or  7  inches  by  13  inches,  and  so  on 
In  determining  the  width  of  furrow  slice,  some  regard  must  be  had  to  the 
strength  of  the  particular  sod  to  be  turned  ;  for  the  same  plow  will  turn 
over  a  wider  slice  in  a  strong,  stiff  sod,  than  when  running  in  a  more  ten- 
der sod,  which  is  more  easily  broken,  or  will  cripple  and  double  when 
raised  to  a  perpendicular  position  by  the  mould-board,  thus  only  doing 
the  work  called  "  cut  and  cover."  When  the  slices  are  required  to  be 
laid  inclining  and  to  lap,  each  one  upon  the  one  preceding,  the  proportion 
ot  width  should  be  less,  say  about  6  by  10  inches  :  the  narrower  the  slice 
in  proportion  to  the  depth,  the  more  steep  will  be  the  inclination  of  the 
slice  as  it  is  lapped  on  the  preceding  one. 

As  the  power  applied  by  the  team  forces  the  end  of  the  beam  (at 
which  point  the  chain  is  attached)  into  a  straight  line  of  draught  from 
the  point  at  which  the  chain  is  attached  to  the  breast  of  the  team,  to  the 
point  where  the  furrow  slice  offers  the  greatest  resistance  on  the  share  or 
breast  of  the  plow,  much  care  should  be  had  to  place  the  rin°-  in  the 
proper  place  m  the  clevis,  higher  or  lower;  or  if  a  draft-rod  be  used  to 
raise  or  lower  it,  so  as  to  produce  naturally  the  straight  line  of  draught, 
thereby  causing  a  flat,  direct,  and  easy  movement  of  the  plow,  any  irre- 
gular or  struggling  motion  will  be  prevented  ;  for  if  the  end  of  the  beam 
or  rod  be  above  the  straight  line,  it  will  cause  the  heel  of  the  plow  to  lift ; 

below,  the  point  will  incline  upward  and  out  of  the  ground. 

The  cutter,  simple  as  it  appears  to  be,  is  a  very  important  appendage 
to  the  plow,  as  it  cuts  the  furrow  slice  off  from  the  main  land  with  great 
ease  and  precision,  requiring  much  less  power  of  team  than  when  the 
slice  is  broken  or  torn  off  (which  is  always  done  when  a  cutter  is  not 
used),  and  the  precision  adds  much  to  the  quality  and  beauty  of  the  work, 
leaving  the  slices  true  and  straight  upon  the  edges.  Much  depends  upon 
the  cutter  being  properly  formed  and  set  so  as  to  cut  the  furrow  slice  in 
the  proper  form  and  shape  to  turn  and  lie  as  required. 

In  order  to  turn  the  furrow  slice  completely  over,  and  do  what  is  termed 


G       HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

"  flat  work"  or  "  planing,"  the  cutter  should  pass  down  from  the  centre 
of  the  beam,  about  three  inches  forward  and  above  the  point  of  the  plow, 
standing  out  in  a  line  with  the  face  of  the  land-side,  so  that  by  placing  a 
straight  edge  along  the  face  of  the  land-side,  and  forward  past  the  cutter, 
it  shall  touch  the  point  of  the  cutter  ;  this  position  causes  it  to  cut  under 
the  main  land  a  little,  and  leave  the  furrow  slice  bevelling  upon  the  edges, 
and  when  turned  over  the  upper  corner  has  receded  a  little  from  the  main 
land,  and  admits  the  succeeding  slice  to  drop  in  flat  by  its  side. 

To  lay  the  furrow  slices  inclining,  and  lap  them  one  upon  the  other, 
the  cutter  should  pass  down  perpendicularly  from  the  land  side  of  the 
beam,  in  such  a  way  as  to  cut  the  edges  of  the  slice  at  right  angles  with 
the  sides.  Whether  the  cutter  be  attached  at  the  side  or  through  the 
beam,  it  can  be  bent  so  as  to  stand  in  either  position. 

Many  advantages  are  realized  in  the  use  of  the  wheel  upon  the  plow, 
particularly  in  turning  sod  ;  it  serves  as  a  gauge  to  regulate  the  depth, 
and  can  be  raised  or  lowered  to  conform  to  any  depth  required.  It  admits 
of  the  plow  being  drawn  by  a  proper  length  of  chain,  with  which,  and 
the  aid  of  the  wheel,  the  plow  moves  steadily  and  accurately  along,  be- 
ing less  affected  by  any  irregular  movement  of  the  team ,  performing  the 
work  more  uniformly  and  with  greater  ease,  both  for  plowman  and  team. 
The  plow  is  thus  drawn  at  a  convenient  distance  from  the  cattle. 

It  must  be  remembered,  in  plowing  a  stiff  clay  or  loamy  soil,  espe- 
cially in  the  fall  of  the  year,  that  each  furrow  slice  should  be  lapped  on 
the  preceding  one  at  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees.  Thus  laid,  each  fur- 
row acts  as  a  drain,  and  leaves  the  land  light  and  dry.  The  sod  of  sandy 
or  very  light  loamy  soil  should  be  turned  flat  over;  as  this  kind  of  soil  is 
already  too  porous,  and  the  object  is  to  retain  the  moisture,  which  a  flat 
and  compact  surface  will  better  do  than  an  open  and  angular  one. 

Mr.  Colman,  in  vol.  i.,  part  v.,  of  his  Report  on  European  Agriculture, 
thus  speaks  of  the  plowing  of  his  countrymen : — 

"  I  have  seen  very  good  plowing  in  the  United  States,  and  perhaps  in 
no  department  of  agriculture  has  greater  improvement  taken  place  than 
in  plowing,  and  in  the  construction  of  plows.  Formerly,  nothing  could 
be  more  slovenly  executed.  A  straight  line  was  not  to  be  seen.  The  land 
was  not  half  turned  over.  The  furrows  were  of  such  depth  or  thickness 
as  they  might  chance  to  be;  and  the  plow  itself,  when  in  action,  resembled 
very  much  a  live  animal,  with  a  sort  of  grasshopper  motion,  which  one 
man  at  the  stilts,  and  often  two  men  riding  upon  the  beam,  were  strug- 
gling to  keep  down,  and,  like  police  officers,  to  prevent  its  escape.  A  man 
was  always  required,  likewise,  with  a  hoe,  to  assist  in  turning  the  furrow- 
slice  at  the  end  of  the  share,  or  in  the  discouraging  duty  of  raising  again 
and  turning  over  by  main  force,  those  furrow-slices  which,  notwithstand- 
ing they  had  been  raised  by  the  plow,  like  a  reluctant  boy  pulled  out  of 
bed  in  the  morning,  with  his  eyes  half  open,  insist  upon  getting  back 
again  as  soon  as  his  master's  back  is  turned.  I  remember  many  a  thump 
on  the  breast  from  the  handles  of  the  plow,  and  many  a  sudden  jerk, 
which  has  thrown  me  upon  the  furrow,  when  I  have  been  riding  on  the 
beam,  and  many  a  splitting  of  a  beam,  and  many  a  breaking  of  a  share; 
and  have  looked  back  with  dismay  upon  a  long  furrow-slice  obstinately 
turning  back  into  the  furrow,  after  I  had  supposed  it  securely  laid  over. 
Somewhat  of  this  experience  may  have  been  necessary,  to  enable  me  to 
estimate  properly  the  excellence  of  English  plowing,  when  the  implement 
seemed  to  move  through  the  ground  with  as  much  quietness,  directness, 
ease— I  may  almost  add  grace — as  a  boat  through  the  water,  with  its  sails' 
spread  to  a  favoring  breeze,  and  an  accomplished  steersman  at  the  helm. 
Some  allowance  is  to  be  made  for  the  condition  of  our  fields,  compared 
with  the  English  fields.  Here  there  are  no  stumps  of  trees,  and  no  stones 
to  impede  or  derange  the  plow.  With  us,  alas !  in  many  cases,  the 
stumps  and  stones  remain  in  resolute  opposition,  to  dispute  our  entrance, 
and,  like  bad  tenants,  can  be  dispossessed  only  by  main  force. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


■e 

<r~rC 

3  2'r 

IVhecl  or 

Wheel  and 

Plows. 

Name. 

•5  5-2* 

5  so 
a.  B 

Cutter. 

Cutter. 

2r<5 

No.  15,. . 

$4  50 
3  25 
450 
7  00 

6  00 

7  50 
S  mi 

"    Al,.. 

"    A2,.   . 

"    A3, 

8  25 

7  25 

8  75 
9  25 

9  50 

850 

10  00 

10  50 

12  00 

"    IB, 

Stubble, 

"    2B, 

«        « 

Imp.  Eagle,  No.  1,. .. 
"      E.  No.  0,  Coul., 

9  00 

10  25 

11  50 

13  00 

Medium  Sod,  . . 

"       "    "     2 

8  50 

9  75 

11  00 

12  50 

«          « 

<■■      "    "     2.  Coui., 

10  00 

11  25 

12  50 

14  00 

Large       " 

"      ,(    "     25, 

10  00 

11  50 

13  00 

14  50 

u             a 

10  00 

11  50 

13  00 

14  50 

Medium    " 

"     Sward  C, 

9  00 

10  50 

12  00 

13  50 

Large       " 

"         "      B, 

10  00 

11  50 

13  00 

14  50 

(i           (i 

"         "      D  Coul., 

12  OC 

13  50 

15  00 

16  50 

Eagle  Self  Sharpener, 

5  00 

6  50 

Light  Sod, 

7  75 

9  00 

11  50 

«       a           a 

7  50 

8  75 

10  00 

10  50 

u       «           (i 

9  50 

11  00 

12  50 

14  00 

«       «           « 

10  5C 

12  00 

13  50 

15  00 

No.  0       Side  Hill,.. 
"    Al,       " 

5  00 
9  00 

10  25 

11  50 

Sod, 

"    A  2,        " 
"    A3,        " 

10  00 
12  00 

11  50 
13  50 

13  00 
15  00 

14  50 

Heavy  Road,. .. 

"    A  4,        " 

14  00 

W.orD.-Rod. 

W.&  D.-Rod, 

"    OSubSoU, 

5  00 

6  50 

800 

"     \         u 

700 

8  50 

10  00 

"2        "         

12  00 

13  50 

"      7    "      

3  25 
3  50 
6  00 

No.  1  Double  Mould, 

3  50 

«    2            " 

700 

3  'Z  B  3  ? 

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The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  premiums  awarded  to  com- 
petitors contending  for  the  prizes  before  the  several  different  Agricultural 
societies  named,  and  the  number  awarded  to  those  who  used  plows 
made  by  Ruggles,  Nourse,  and  Mason. 


Name  of  Count;/. 


Essex  County,  Mass. 

do do 

do do , 

Middlesex  do , 

do do , 

do do , 

Worcester  do 

do do , 

do do , 

do do 

do do 

do do 

Plymouth  do , 

Bristol  ...  do , 

Hampden   do 

do do 

Berkshire  do 

Barnstable  do , 

Hartford  do. . .  Conn. 
Dutchess  rto...N.  Y. 
Windham  do...Vt.,.. 


1843 
1S44 
1845 
IS  13 
1844 
1845 
1S40 
1841 
1842 
1843 
1844 
18-15 
1844 
1845 
1844 
1845 
1845 
1845 

lS4r. 

1845 
1645 


No.    of  premi 
urns  offered. 


.10  premiums 
..8. ...do..... 

.11. ...do 

..8. ...do 

..8. ...do 

..8. ...do 

..9. ...do 

..9. ...do 


.11.. ..do 

..3. ...do 

..6. ...do 

..8. ...do 

..4. ...do 

..3. ...do 

..4.... do 

...the  highest. 


No.    of  premi 

urns  awarded 

as  above. 


.9  premiums, 
.6. ...do.. 
11. ...do.. 
.5. ...do.. 
.5. ...do.. 
.6. ...do.. 
.9. ...do.. 
.9. ...do.. 


9 

..do..... 

...9.. 

..do 

..12.. 

..do 

..12.. 

..do 

..11.. 

..do 

...7.. 

..do 

..10.. 

..do 

...8.. 

..do 

R.. 

..do 

...6.. 

..do 

..7. ...do 

..2. ...do 

.3. ...do 

..7. ...do 

..3.... do 

..3. ...do 

..2. ...do 

...the  highest. 


It  is  but  just  to  remark 
that  the  competition  was  as 
great  between  the  different 
plow-makers  as  between 
the  plow-men,-  and,  inmost 
instances  noted,  the  plows 
above  named  were  strongly- 
contested  by  Prouty  and 
Mears'  (so  called)  "  Centre 
Draught,"  Martin's  imita- 
tion of  our  "  Eagle  "  plows, 
and  that  in  every  case  the 
first  premiums  were  award- 
ed to  plowmen,  who  per- 
formed their  work  with 
plows  made  by  Ruggles, 
Nourse,  and  Mason. 


At  the  most  thorough  trial  and  investigation  of  plows  ever  made  in  the 
United  States,  held  in  Essex  County,  Massachusetts,  the  Judging  Com- 
mittee, in  speaking  of  the  EAGLE  PLOW,  to  which  they  unanimously 
awarded  the  highest  premium,  say  : — As  near  as  we  can  ascertain,  this 
Plow  combines  all  the  good  qualities  manifested  in  either  of  the  others, 
with  some  peculiar  to  itself ;  and  further,  "our  attention  was  called  to 


•      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

the  quality  of  the  eastings  on  the  Plows  of  RUGGLES  AND  CO.,  their 

Finish  and  Durability.  Their  appearance  is  certainly  more  perfect  than 
anything  we  have  elsewhere  seen.  The  process  of  Chilling  the  Point, 
the  entire  Edge  of  the  Share  and  Flange  or  Base  of  the  Landtide,  gives  a 
permanence  and  durability  to  the  work  that  renders  it  of  a  decidedly  supe- 
rior character,"  "  and  we  think  there  is  no  hazard  in  saying,  that  the  viJin 
of  the  parts  thus  made  is  more  than  doubled  by  the  process." 

Description  or  Plows. 

We  will  now  give  a  short  description  of  the  different  kinds  of  plows 
manufactured  by  Ruggles,  Nourse,  and  Mason,  and  we  wish  our  readers 
to  be  cautioned  against  imitations  of  their  Eagle  and  other  kinds  ;  such 
are  made  of  coarse,  inferior  materials,  in  this  city  and  elsewhere,  and  of- 
fered at  a  lower  rate  than  a  good  plow  can  be  afforded.  A.  B.  Allen,  No. 
187  Water  Street,  is  sole  agent  for  the  genvine  article  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  and  any  other  person  offering  them  for  sale  here  is  deceiving  the  pub- 
lic, and  if  they  purchase  of  them  they  may  depend  upon  getting  spvriocs 
plows.  Ruggles,  Nourse,  and  Mason  have  their  own  exclusive  patterns, 
constructed  from  their  own  designs,  in  perfecting  which,  they  have  spent 
much  time  and  money.  The  woodwork  is  made  by  peculiar  machinery, 
patented  by  themselves,  each  part  being  made  exactly  alike,  and  can  be 
immediately  supplied  by  another  when  broken  or  worn  out.  It  is  the 
same  with  the  castings  and  wrought  iron  work,  the  metal  of  which  is  of 
the  best  quality.  Another  great  merit  in  these  plows  is,  that  the  castings 
are  ground  smooth  and  polished ;  so  that  they  run  easier  and  smoother  for 
it  in  any  ground,  and  can  work  in  the  finest  and  most  adhesive  soils 
without  having  the  dirt  stick  to  them  and  impede  their  progress.  They 
are  now  rapidly  taking  the  place  of  the  polished  wrought  iron  mould- 
board  plows,  so  much  U9ed  in  the  rich  lands  of  Kentucky,  Missouri,  and 
other  western  States.  These  polished  cast  iron  plows  answer  the  same 
purpose  as  the  polished  wrought  iron  ones,  and  only  cost  about  two 
thirds  as  much.  To  prevent  rusting,  the  castings  are  colored  with  blue 
varnish,  which  gives  them  the  appearance  of  blue-steel. 

No.  14. — A  light  single  one  horse  or  mule  plow,  calculated  to  carry  a 
wide  furrow  in  a  light  or  sandy  soil,  and  well  adapted  to  Northern  and 
Southern  culture.  The  mould-board  is  longer  and  more  curved  than 
other  kinds  of  plows.  The  advantage  of  this  is,  it  packs  the  furrows 
down  tightly  and  smoothly  as  it  moves  along,  and  prevents  any  of  the 
soil  boiling  over  the  mould  board  into  the  open  furrow,  and  thus  partly 
tilling  it  up  to  the  injury  of  the  succeeding  furrow  slice.      Price  $3  25. 

No.  15. — A  single  horse  or  mule  plow  of  same  construction  as  above, 
but  one  size  larger.  Price  $4  50. 

No.  A  1 . — A  light  one  horse  or  mule  plow  calculated  for  a  loamy,  clayey, 
or  gravelly  soil.  It  is  much  used  among  cotton  and  corn,  as  well  as  for 
furrowing  out  or  drilling.  Price  $3  25. 

No.  A  2. — A  single  hwse  or  mule  plow,  same  construction  as  the  above, 
but  one  size  larger.  Price  $4  50. 

No.  A  3. — A  two  horse  sward  or  stubble  plow.  It  is  much  used  at  the 
North  for  general  plowing,  and  highly  approved  for  breaking  up  the  rice 
lands  at  the  South.     Price  $7  00. 

No.  1  B. — A  large  one  horse  plow;  is  frequently  used  with  two  horses, 
and  for  the  same  purposes  as  No.  A  3.  Price  $6  00. 


:  HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.      9 

No.  2  B. — A  small  two  horse  plow,  same  as  the  above,  but  one  size 
larger.     It  is  much  liked  at  the  North  and  South.     Price  $7  60. 


Eagle  Plow. 


The  two  cuts  above  represent  the  Eagle  Plow.  Fig.  1,  shows  the  com- 
mon clevis  and  method  of  attaching  the  wheel ;  fig.  2,  shows  the  late 
improvements  of  a  draft-rod,  regulated  by  a  simple  dial,  recently  pa- 
tented by  Ruggles,  Nourse,  and  Mason,  attached  to  the  end  of  the  beam, 
by  which  the  plowman  can  easily  and  quickly  place  the  end  of  the  rod 
in  a  position  that  will  cause  the  plow  to  take  any  required  width  or  depth 
of  furrow,  gauging  it  to  a  quarter  of  an  inch,  if  necessary  to  be  so  exact. 
This  draft-rod  makes,  in  reality,  a  perfect  centre-draft  plow,  of  the  best 
possible  construction.  Combining  the  dial-clevis  and  the  draft-rod,  it  en- 
ables the  plowman  to  run  his  plow  close  alongside  of  a  fence  or  ditch, 
and  turn  up  wet  meadows  or  rice  lands,  with  the  off  as  well  as  the  near 
horse  treading  on  the  unbroken  ground,  instead  of  the  miry  open  furrow,  so 
very  fatiguing  to  him.  The  cutter  is  requisite  at  the  North  in  plowing  sod 
ground,  as  it  cuts  the  sod  clear  through  in  a  line  with  the  plow,  and  thus 
enables  the  plowman  to  turn  it  over  more  easily,  and  also  lay  it  smoother 
and  nicer.  By  using  a  cutter  the  furrow  can  be  laid  flat  over,  or  lapped  at 
any  angle  required.  The  cutter  can  be  raised  or  lowered  at  pleasure,  to 
cut  shallower  or  deeper,  or  it  can  be  taken  out  of  the  beam  entirely, 
which  always  should  be  done  in  plowing  rocky,  or  very  rough  or  rooty 
land.  The  cutter  is  very  useful  at  the  South  in  cutting  up  the  crab,  and 
other  tough  grasses,  thus  enabling  the  plowman  to  cover  them  up  com- 
pletely with  the  soil.  The  wheel  is  used  to  gauge  the  depth  of  the  fur- 
row; it  also  makes  the  plow  run  much  easier  and  steadier;  it  can  be 
raised  or  lowered  at  pleasure.  In  fig.  2  it  is  fastened  on  the  outside, 
and  can  be  raised  so  high  as  to  admit  the  plow-share  nearly  up  to  the 


10 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


beam,  if  desired.  With  all  these  improvements  we  now  consider  the 
Eagle  plow  unrivalled  for  general  work.  It  runs  with  an  extraordinary 
light  draft,  and  does  its  work  in  admirable  style. 

Eagle  No.  1. — Is  called  at  the  North  a  medium  sized  sod  or  stubble  plow, 
and  is  easily  drawn  by  a  pair  of  horses  or  oxen.  At  the  South  it  would 
be  considered  a  large  size,  and  it  would  generally  require  three  mules  to 
turn  a  furrow  with  it  six  inches  deep  aud  eleven  inches  wide,  although  this 
has  ofteu  been  accomplished  with  a  single  pair.  It  cuts  a  furrow  any  re- 
quired depth  to  seven  mches,  aud  ten  to  twelve  inches  wide.   Price  £8  00. 

Eagle  No.  1,  with  lock-coulter. — Is  the  same  size  and  shape,  and  per- 
forms the  same  work  as  Eagle  No.  1  with  cutter.     Price,  §9  00. 

Explanation  of  Cutter,  Coulter,  and  Lock-Coulter. — And  here  it  may  be 
proper  to  explain  the  difference  between  a  cutter,  a  coulter,  and  a  lock-coulter, 
as  the  terms  are  loosely  used  by  many  as  synonymous.  The  cutter  in  rig.  3, 
is  of  wrought  iron,  edged  with  steel  of  the  best  quality.  It  passes  through 
a  mortice  in  the  centre  of  the  beam,  where  it  is  fastened  by  an  iron  clamp, 
and  reaches  nearly  down  to  the  point  of  the  share.  It  can  be  raised  or 
lowered  at  pleasure,  or  be  taken  out  of  the  beam  entirely.  It  is  also 
clasped  on  the  side  of  the  beam  when  required. 


The  Coulter,  in  fig.  4,  is  cast  on  to  the  point  of  the  plow-share,  and 
thus  forms  a  part  of  it. 

The  Lock-Coulter,  in  fig.  5,  is  also  made  of  wrought  iron,  steel-edged 
in  Eagle  No.  2,  and  sizes  larger  having  them ;  in  Eagle  No.  1  it  is  made 
of  cast  iron.    It  passes  through  the  beam,  aud  is  made  fast  with  a  nut  and 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.     11 

screw,  or  key,  and  locks  through  the  point  and  mould-board  where  they 
join.  This  gives  it  great  strength,  and  makes  the  plow  suitable  to  be  used 
among  rocks,  and  especially  the  roots  of  newly  cleared  land  ;  for  the  lock- 
coulter  cannot  be  turned  one  side  or  forced  out  of  its  place,  but  will  in- 
stantly sever  roots  of  an  inch  or  two  diameter,  and  thus  enable  the  plow 
to  turn  the  furrow  smoothly  and  with  great  ease.  The  lock-coulter  can  be 
taken  out  at  pleasure. 

Eagle  No.  2.— A  two  horse  sod  or  stubble  plow,  of  same  construction, 
but  one  size  larger  than  Eagle  No.  1.  It  cuts  a  furrow  any  required  depth 
to  eight  inches,  and  twelve  to  fourteen  inches  wide.    Price,  #8  50. 

Eagle  No.  2  with  lock-coulter.— The  same  in  form  as  Eagle  No.  1 , 
with  lock-cuultcr,  but  one  size  larger.     Price,  $10  00. 

Eagle  No.  25. — A  four  horse  sod  or  stubble  plow.  It  is  also  admira- 
bly adapted  for  breaking  up  rough  ground  and  trench  plowing.  It  is  the 
best  plow  for  covering  up  a  great  growth  of  weeds  and  grass  we  know  ot. 
It  cuts  a  furrow  any  required  depth  to  twelve  inches,  or  even  deeper  if 
wished,  and  sixteen  to  eighteen  inches  wide.    Price,  $10  00. 

Eagle  self-sharpening  and  adjusting  steel  pointed  plows. — These 
plows  are  of  the  same  superior  form  of  construction  as  the  Eagle  plows 
usually  made  by  Ruggles,  Nourse,  and  Mason,  with  the  exception  that 
the  point  and  share  consist  of  two  pieces  which  are  constructed  upon 
an  improved  self-sharpening  principle.  The  point  is  a  wrought  straight  bar 
of  iron,  steeled  at  each  end,  about  twenty  inches  in  length,  and  passes  up- 
ward into  the  body  of  the  plow.  As  it  wears  away  it  is  easily  shoved 
forward  ;  and  as  it  becomes  blunt  it  is  turned  over  on  the  other  side,  thus 
always  presenting  a  sharp  point  of  full  length  and  proper  shape.  When 
one  end  of  the  point  or  bar  is  worn  off  five  inches,  it  is  reversed,  and  the 
other  end  performs  a  like  service.  The  wing  or  share  is  also  reversible, 
and  can  be  used  either  end  forward,  or  either  side  up.  Both  point  and 
share  are  so  very  simple  in  their  construction,  that  any  blacksmith  can 
renew  them  at  trifling  expense,  with  wrought  iron  or  steel.  We  particu- 
larly commend  these  plows  for  Southern  plantations,  for  their  own  black- 
smiths can  at  any  time  easily  repair  them.  There  is  also  a  cast  iron  coul- 
ter on  the  share  of  the  plow,  a  little  back  and  above  the.  point,  so  arranged 
as  to  be  easily  replaced  when  worn  out,  which  is  much  less  expensive 
and  in  many  kinds  of  soil  quite  as  serviceable  as  a  wrought  coulter. 
They  are  also  made  with  wrought  cutters  in  common  form. 

Self-sharpening  plows  heretofore  may  have  been  considered  objection- 
able, inasmuch  as  they  have  not  possessed  sufficient  strength,  owing  to 
their  complicated  construction;  but  a  single  glance  at  these  plows  will 
convince  any  person,  by  their  construction,  and  the  point  being  of  wrought 
metal,  that  they  combine  strength  and  durability  unequalled  in  any  other 
form  or  construction  of  point  and  share,  and  that  they  are  kept  in  repair 
at  muoh  less  expense. 

Eagle  Self-sharpener,  No.  1. — A  light  one  horse  or  mule  plow,  more 
particularly  calculated  for  the  South.  Price  $5  00. 

Eagle  Self  sharpener,  No.  2. — A  medium  sized  one  horse  plow,  use- 
ful at  South  and  North.  Price  $6  50. 

Eagle  Self-sharpener,  No.  3. — A  medium  sized  two  horse  plow,  for 
sod  or  stubble  land.  Price  $7  50. 

Eagle  Self-sharpener,  No.  4. — A  large  sized  two  horse  plow. 

Price  $9  50. 


12 


HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


Eagle  Self-sharpener,  No.  5. — A  three  or  four  horse  plow,  according 
to  the  toughness  of  the  soil.  It  is  an  admirable  implement  for  breaking- 
up  or  deep  stony  plowing.  Price  £10  50. 

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without  any  centre  dead  or  finishing  furrow ;  uor  does  it  make  banks  or 
ridges  by  turning  two  furrows  toward  each  other.     They  are  likewise 


HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.  13 

useful  in  enabling  the  plowman  to  turn  the  furrow  from  his  walls  and 
fences.  Another  advantage,  they  save  much  trouble  in  enabling  the 
team  to  turn  short  about  at  the  end  of  the  furrows,  instead  of  obliging  it 
to  travel  across  the  wide  ends  of  each  land  in  the  field. 

No.  0.  Side-Hill. — A  light  one-horse  or  mule  plow,  particularly  de- 
signed for  horizontal  plowing  at  the  South.     Trice  $5  00. 

No.  A  1.  Side-Hill. — Alight  or  medium  sized  two-horse  sod  or  stubble 
plow.     Price,  $9  00. 

No.  A.  2.  Side-Hill. — A  large  two-horse  plow — is  sometimes  used  with 
three  or  four  horses,  accordiug  to  the  nature  of  the  soil.    Price,  $10  00. 

No.  A  3.  Side-Hill. — A  large  four  or  six-horse  plow,  made  very  strong. 
It  is  suitable  for  heavy  rugged  farm  or  road  work.     Price,  $12  00. 

No.  A  4.  Side-Hill. — A  heavy  six  horse  road  plow.  It  is  made  very 
strong,  and  is  especially  designed  for  the  roughest  road  work. 

Price,  $14  00. 

Cutters  are  an  extra  charge  of  $1  50  each  for  the  above;  but  having  a 
sort  of  half  coulter  cast  on  the  point  of  the  plow,  they  are  rarely  necessary. 

Sward  C. — A  strong  three-horse  plow,  particularly  calculated  for  break- 
ing up  rough  or  stony  sward  land.  It  is  a  size  larger  than  Eagle  No.  2. 
Price,  $9  00. 

Sward  B. — A  strong  four-horse  plow  of  same  construction  nearly  as 
sward  C,  but  one  size  larger.     Price,  $10  00. 

Sward  D.— A  strong  four  borse  plow,  same  size  and  form  as  sward  B, 
Avith  the  addition  of  a  wrought  lock-coulter  as  attached  to  Eagle  No.  2. 
To  this  plow  is  affixed,  when  required,  a  sharp  steel-edged  share  or  point, 
cutting  very  wide,  and  a  reversed  or  drag  cutter  for  the  purpose  of  plow- 
ing and  completely  turning  over  the  surface  of  wet  meadows  when  re- 
claimed by  ditching.  A  crane  clevis  is  attached  to  the  end  of  the  beam 
to  pull  by,  which  enables  the  off  horse  to  keep  clear  of  the  miry  open 
furrow,  so  very  fatiguing  to  him,  and  tread  on  the  unbroken  ground  as 
well  as  the  near  horse;  thus  making  it  comparatively  easy  work  for  the 
team,  and  obviating  the  great  objection  to  breaking  up  wet  meadows  or 
swampy  ground.  The  newly  invented  dial-clevis  and  draft-rod,  as  de- 
scribed in  Eagle  No.  1,  page  9,  will  enable  the  off  horse  to  tread  on  solid 
ground  in  plowing  wet  meadows,  nearly  as  well  as  the  crane  clevis.  It 
also  enables  the  plowman  to  run  the  plow  close  alongside  of  a  fence 
or  ditch.  This  would  be  an  admirable  plow  for  the  rice  lands  on  the 
Mississippi,  and  for  the  prairie  lands  of  the  West.  When  the  meadow 
fixtures  are  removed,  and  the  original  point  or  share  replaced,  the  plow 
is  again  adapted  to  the  rugged  upland  soils,  thus  answering  the  double 
purpose  of  an  upland  and  meadow  plow.  Price,  with  lock-coulter, 
$12  00.  Wheel,  cutter,  and  draft-rod  $1  50  each,  making  the  whole  cost 
$16  50.  With  lock-coulter,  steel-edged  share,  and  crane-clevis,  for  re- 
claiming meadows,  the  price  is  $16  00. 

Ridging  or  Double  Mould  Board  Plows. 

No.  1  Double  Mould  Board. — A  light  one  horse  plow,  used  for  open- 
ing drills  to  plant  potatoes,  corn,  &c. ;  also  for  covering  seed  in  the  drills. 
In  plowing  out  between  narrow  rows,  it  throws  the  dirt  both  ways  to  the 
crop,  and  thus  does  the  work  of  two  plows.  It  is  also  very  useful  in  dig- 
ging potatoes.  _  Indeed,  it  is  a  very  convenient  implement  for  various 


14 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


kinds  of  work,  and  should  always  be  kept  on  the  farm  and  planta- 
tion Price  #3  50. 

Nr .  2  Double  Mould  Board. — Of  same  construction  and  use  as  the 
above,  but  one  size  larger.  Price  $7  00. 

Cotton  Plows. 

Davis  6  Inch. — A  light  one  horse  or  mule  plow,  particularly  designed 
for  the  South.  Price  83  25. 

Davis  7  Inch. — Of  nearly  same  construction,  but  a  trifle  larger  than  the 
above.  Price  S3  50. 

Rice  Trenching  Plow.    » 

This  plow  is  made  from  a  pattern  furnished  by  an  eminent  Southern 
planter.  It  will  do  the  work  of  six  or  eight  hands  with  hoes,  in  trench- 
ing a  field  for  the  rice  crop,  and  will  be  found  a  great  labor  saving  imple- 
ment for  the  South.  It  is  an  excellent  implement,  also,  for  opening  drills 
for  corn  or  cotton,  and  for  various  root  crops  at  the  North.     Price,  $6  00. 


Sub-soil  Plow. 


We  manufacture  three  sizes  on  the  precise  principle  of  the  most  ap- 
proved Scotch  Sub-soil  Plow,  one  of  which  Ave  imported  from  Scotland  in 
1840.     This  cost  us  $50  in  Edinburgh. 

By  modifying  and  simplifying  its  construction,  at  the  same  time  making 
some  important  improvements;in  it,  we  are  now  able  to  supply  the  farmers 
and  planters  of  this  country  with  plows  lighter  and  better  suitable  for  our 
people,  and  at  the  same  time  of  equal  capacity,  and  at  a  much  less  price 
than  the  Scotch  Plow.  The  Sub-soil  Plow,  imported  by  us,  we  believe  to 
be  the  first  real  Sub-soil  Plow  ever  in  this  country.  They  have  since  been 
used  in  the  different  sections  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  with  great 
satisfaction ;  and  the  demand  is  constantly  and  rapidly  increasing.  These 
Plows  are  used  by  following  directly  after  the  team,  turning  up  the  sur- 
face soil,  and  in  the  same  furrow.  This  is  of  great  advantage  to  the 
crops,  both  in  dry  and  wet  land.  In  the  former,  the  sub-sod  being  deeply 
broken  up,  and  well  pulverized,  the  moisture  is  retained  much  longer  than 
it  otherwise  would  be,  and  the  roots  of  plants  can  descend  much  lower 
and  wider  for  their  food,  while  in  the  latter  the  excess  of  moisture  filters 
below  and  is  readily  carried  off. 

No.  0  Sub-soil. — A  large  one-horse,  or  small  two-horse  jplow.  It  will 
break  and  pulverise  subsoil  any  required  depth  to  nine  inches  below  the 
previously  turned  furrow.  Price,  with  Scotch  clevis,  $5  50.  With  draft- 
rod,  $6  50. 

We  would  recommend  the  Scotch  clevis,  or  draft-rod ;  for  by  the  use  of 


Horticultural  and  agricultural  tools.    lo 

these  the  off  horse  can  walk  on  the  even  ground,  making  it  much  easier 
for  him  to  do  his  work  than  travelling  in  the  surface  soil  furrow.  A  cut- 
ter or  coulter  is  never  necessary  in  a  subsoil  plow  ;  a  wheel  is  not  mate- 
rial, though  some  prefer  it. 

No  1  Sub-soil. — A  large  two-horse,  or  medium  sized  four-horse  plow. 
It  should  always  be  used  with  the  draft-rod.     Price,  with  draft-rod,  $8  50. 

No.  2  Sub-soil. — A  large  four-horse,  or  medium  sized  six-horse  plow. 
It  will  break  and  pulverise  the  soil  any  required  depth  to  eighteen  inches. 
Price,  with  draft-rod,  $12  00. 

An  extra  plow  point  is  always  given  with  each  plow.  Any  irons  or  any 
of  the  wood  parts,  will  be  supplied  at  fair  prices  for  repairing.  Every 
part  of  these  plows  being  made  by  the  same  machinery  and  of  uniform 
patterns,  each  single  piece,  whether  of  wood  or  iron,  will  suit  any  part 
of  the  plow  either  broken  or  worn  out.  This  is  a  great  advantage  to  the 
purchaser  of  these  implements,  as  a  part  of  the  plow  may  thus  be  sup- 
plied at  a  trifling  cost,  which,  if  broken  or  worn  out  in  most  other  plows, 
could  hardly  be  replaced  at  all,  or  if  so,  at  a  greatly  increased  expense. 

We  sum  up  by  earnestly  recommending  these  Plows  to  the  public. 
They  are  made  of  the  best  materials,  in  the  most  substantial  manner,  and 
are  warranted  to  perform  all  that  is  here  said  of  them. 

New  York  Plows. 

Manufactured  expressly  for  the  Agency  of  A.  B.  Allen. 

As  many  Farmers  and  Planters  demand  a  plow,  the  first  cost  of  which 
shall  be  less  than  those  manufactured  by  Rnggles,  Nourse  &  Mason,  of 
Worcester,  Massachusetts,  a  manufacturer  has  undertaken  to  supply  the 
market  for  such,  through  my  agency.  The  public  are  assured  that  I  am 
also  Sole  Agent  for  them,  in  this  city ;  and  they  are  particularly  cautioned 
against  all  other  manufactures  of  the  kind,  either  here  or  elsewhere. 
The  woods  of  these  plows  are  got  out  by  patent  machinery,  and  every  part 
of  them,  as  well  as  the  irons,  are  made  exactly  alike,  to  supply  the  place 
of  others  as  in  the  Worcester  Plows,  of  which  they  are  a  close  imitation 
— I  having  the  permission  of  Messrs.  Ruggles,  Nourse,  &  Mason,  thus  to 
make  them.  With  these  prefatory  observations,  it  now  only  remains  for 
me  to  give  the  prices  of  the  New  York  Plows,  as  a  full  knowledge  of  their 
construction  may  be  gathered  by  the  preceding  remarks  on  the  Worces- 
ter Plows;  but  I  wish  to  be  understood  that  I  do  not  recommend  them  as 
equally  well  finished,  nor  as  strong  and  as  enduring.  They  are  simply 
recommended  as  fair,  serviceable  Plows  ;  but  superior  for  the  price  to  any 
others  made  in  this  market,  or  that  can  be  manufactured  here  by  others. 

New  York  No.  A  1. — A  light  one-horse  or  mule  plow,  well  calculated 
for  loamy  soils  and  clay.  Price  $2  25. 

New  York  No.  A  2. — A  size  larger  than  the  above,  and  calculated  for 
the  same  kind  of  soils.  Price  $3  00. 

New  York  No.  14. — A  light  one-horse  or  mule  plow,  calculated  for 
light  sandy  lands.  Price  $2  25. 

New  York  No.  15. — A  size  larger. than  the  above,  and  calculated  for  the 
same  kind  of  soil. 

New  York  No.  2  B. — A  light  two-horse  plow  calculated  for  general 


1--. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


work.     Price,  plain,  si  00.     Cutter  an  extra  charge  of  75  cts.,  wheel, 
$1  25.     With  coulter  cast  on  the  point  of  the  share,  $4  25. 

New  York  Eagle  No.  1. — A  medium  two  horse  plow,  calculated  for 
general  work.  Price,  plain,  $6  00.  Cutter  extra,  75  cts.,  wheel,  $1  25. 
With  coulter  cast  on  the  point  of  the  share,  $5  25. 

New  York  Eagle  No.  2. — A  large  two  horse  plow,  calculated  for  gen- 
eral work.  Price  plain,  $5  50.  Cutter  extra,  75  cts.,  wheel,  $1  25.  With 
coulter  cast  on  the  point  of  the  share,  $5  75. 

A  point  extra  is  given  with  these  plows.  Castings  are  sold  at  4  cts. 
per  pound.    A  liberal  discount  made  to  dealers. 

Other  New  York  Plows. 
Manufactured  for  the  Agency  of  A.  B.  Allen. 

These  are  done  by  patent  machinery,  same  as  the  above,  and  need  no 
particular  description. 


One  Horse  Plows.— No.  1,  J.  M.  &  Co., 

Pri 

ce,  $2  25. 

"     2,     do. 

with  coulter,        ' 

3  50. 

"  10},  do. 

2  00. 

"  Hi,  do. 

2  25. 

Corn, 

2  50. 

Two  Horse  Plows.— No.  3,  J.  M.  &  Co. 

with  coulter,        « 

4  50. 

"     4,     do 

do 

■         5  00. 

"  19|,  M.  &  H. 

do 

4  50. 

"  20,       do 

do 

4  50. 

"  21,       do 

do 

5  00. 

Bergen  Plows. — For  two  horses  and  general  work.  Price,  with  cutter, 
$8  50. 

Castings  for  the  New  York  Eagle  and  other  plows,  Minor  and  Horton's, 
Mayher  &  Co.,  Freeborn  and  Hitchcock,  and  the  Dutcher  Plows,  at  4  cts. 
per  lb.    A  liberal  discount  made  to  dealers. 

Three  Share  Plow.     (Fig.  8.)  This  machine  spreads  2 

feet  6  inches  wide,  with 
three  shares ;  but  if  made 
with  four  shares  it  would 
be  proportionably  wider. 
It  is  used  for  plowing  in 
wheat  and  rye  at  the  North, 
after  sowing,  and  taking 
so  many  furrows  at  a  time 
it  gets  over  the  ground 
very  rapidly.  Three  to 
five  acres  per  day  may  be 
covered  with  it.  Grain 
plowed  in  is  not  so  likely 
to  winter  kill.  The  ground 
should  not  be  harrowed  in  the  fall,  but  be  left  rough.  In  the  spring  it 
may  be  harrowed  and  rolled.  It  is  drawn  by  two  horses.  One  or  two 
wheels  are  now  placed  at  the  end  of  the  beam,  which  makes  it  run  easier 
and  steadier,  and  enables  the  plowman  to  gauge  \he  furrow  slices  to  an 
exact  depth.  It  has  been  supposed  that  this  plow  would  do  well  for  the 
South  to  work  out  between  the  corn,  cotton,  and  sugar-cane  rows ;  but 
we  are  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  found  too  heavy  for  such  work,  as 
long  as  light  mule  teams  are  kept  on  the  plantations. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND    AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 
Shell  Wheel  Plow. — (Fig.  9.) 


17 


Burrall's  Shell  Wheel  Plow. — This  plow  runs  very  easily,  and  i? 
much  liked  in  smooth  land,  where  there  are  no  stones  or  other  obstruc- 
tions. Price  #12  50. 

Paring  Plow.     (Fig.  10.) 


The  above  plow  is  used  for  paring  turf  lands  preparatory  to  burning. 
The  share  is  thin  and  flat,  made  of  wrought  iron,  steel-edged.  It  has 
a  lock-coulter  in  the  centre,  and  short  coulters  on  the  outward  edge  of 
each  wing  of  the  share,  cutting  the  turf  as  it  moves  along  into  two  strips 
about  one  foot  wide,  and  as  deep  as  required,  there  being  a  sliding  appa- 
ratus put  on  the  end  of  the  beam  instead  of  a  wheel  to  regulate  the  depth 
of  cutting.  This  is  much  preferable  to  a  wheel  for  this  particular  purpose. 
After  the  turf  is  pared  off  into  strips,  men  follow  with  sharp  spades  and 
cut  it  into  suitable  lengths,  say  of  two  or  three  feet.  These  pieces 
they  then  throw  into  heaps,  after  drying  of  which  they  are  burned,  and 
the  ashes  spread  broad-cast  on  the  land.  Paring  and  burning  is  a  very 
ameliorating  process  for  stiff  clay  soils ;  it  changes  their  mechanical  tex- 
ture almost  entirely,  and  renders  them  friable  and  suitable  for  cultivation. 
The  paring  plow  is  also  an  excellent  implement  for  cutting  off  meadow 
bogs  and  grass  bunches  and  turf  for  covering  a  grass  plot. 

Langdon's  Cultivator  or  Horse-Plow. — This,  in  reality,  is  a  plow  with 
a  light,  wide,  flat  share,  sharp  at  the  edges,  and  coulters  on  the  mould- 
board.  It  is  used  for  running  between  the  rows  of  different  crops,  to 
cut  up  the  weeds  and  loosen  the  soil.  It  is  an  excellent  implement  also 
for  digging  potatoes.  It  is  only  recommended  for  light  soils  free  from 
stones.  Price,  $7  00,  with  clevis,  $7  50. 

Scotch  Plows. — These  are  made  of  iron  throughout,  and  will  be  im- 
ported to  order.     They  cost  from  $25  to  $40  each. 

Any  kind  of  plows  will  be  constructed  to  order  whenever  desired.  Any 
2 


is 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


hints  by  way  of  improvement  in  these  implements  will  be  gratefully  re- 
ceived. 


HARROWS. 

Of  these  there  are  many 
kinds.  Of  the  common  tri- 
angular form  we  make  va- 
rious sizes,  from  the  light 
one  horse  up  to  the  large 
four  horse  harrow. 

Fig.  11  shows  the  trian- 
gular folding,  or  Chandler 
harrow. 
Price,  #4  00  to  $12  00. 

Fig.  12,  the  square  har- 
row, which  may  be  used 
single  or  double.  Prices 
vary  according  to  the  size, 
from  $5  00  to  $15  00. 

Fig.  13  is  the  Geddes 
Folding  Harrow,  which 
upon  the  whole  we  esteem 
the  best.  Some  of  the 
larger  sizes  are  so  con- 
structed that  the  front  and 
rear  parts  can  be  detached, 
forming  two  single  har- 
rows, which  can  be  used 
separately  when  desired. 
The  cuts  show  their  con- 
struction so  well  that  they 
render  a  particular  descrip- 
tion unnecessary.  The  fol- 
lowing rules  should  be  ob- 
served in  making  harrows. 
1.  Let  the  frames  be 
joined  together  in  the  cen- 
tre with  hinges,  so  that 
the  two  halves  may  be  able 
to  move  up  and  down  in- 
depent  of  each  other.  This 
enables  the  harrow  to  pass 
over  quite  uneven  ground, 
and  touch  it  all  with  its 
teeth ;  but  if  the  harrow 
were  made  of  pieces  put 
together  without  hinges,  it 
*     °"       '  could  not  do  it,  and  thus, 

in  passing  over  uneven  surfaces,  one  half  of  the  land  would  scarcely  be 
touched. 

2.  The  teeth  should  be  of  the  best  Swede's  iron,  steel-pointed,  drawn 
to  fit  a  mortice  in  the  beam,  largest  at  the  lower  or  under  side  of  the 
beam,  and  gradually  tapering  to  the  top ;  with  a  screw  cut  on  the  top  of 
the  tooth,  and  then  made  fast  with  a  nut  screwed  down  tight  over  a 


(Fig.  11.) 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


19 


(Fig.  13.) 


thick  washer.  Teeth  which 
are  not  fastened  into  the  arms 
of  the  harrow  with  nuts  and 
screws  through  a  tapering 
mortice,  are  continually  get- 
ting loose,  more  especially  in 
rough  or  stony  ground ;  and 
when  loose  they  present  an 
unequal  surface,  and  not  only 
do  the  work  imperfectly  and 
unevenly,  but  make  the  har- 
row harder  to  draw,  and  there- 
fore more  tiresome  for  the 
team,  especially  when  the 
forward  teeth  slip  up,  as  they 
are  most  likely  to  do,  and  the 
hind  ones  keep  fast.  The 
teeth  are  also  liable  to  drop 
out  (if  not  screwed  in)  when 
the  harrow  is  turned  over  dou- 
ble to  be  carried  in  or  out,  or 
from  field  to  field.  The  loss 
of  a  single  tooth  is  sometimes 
a  serious  injury  to  a  day's 
work. 


The  Geddes  harrow  is  superior  to  the  square  harrow,  as  it  draws  easier, 
moves  steadier,  and  without  shaking  of  the  whiffle-trees.  It  is  also  more 
readily  cleaned  of  foul  stuff,  and  can  be  more  easily  weighted  when  ne- 
cessary. 

Sufficient  attention  is  not  paid  to  harrowing.  It  is  the  next  most  im- 
portant operation  after  plowing.  The  harrow  should  run  from  four  to 
six  inches  deep,  cutting  up  all  the  lumps,  and  leave  the  ground  in  a  finely 
pulverized  state. 

The  price  of  these  harrows  varies  from  $ 5  to  $14.  They  have  from  four- 
teen to  thirty  teeth. 

FIELD  AND  GARDEN  ROLLERS. 


(Fig.  14.) 


Rollers  are  of  various 
kinds ;  of  wood,  stone,  and 
iron.  The  last  are  most 
esteemed,  as  they  do  their 
work  best,  and  endure, 
with  little  repair,  for  a 
half  century  or  more. 
They  should  be  made  in 
two  sections,  at  least,  and 
more  would  be  better,  as 
separate  pieces  facilitate 
in  wheeling  round  at  the 
end  of  the  field,  and  leave 
the  ground  smooth,  es- 
pecially if  the  roller  be 


more  than  three  feet  long.    Twenty  to  twenty-four  inches  is  the  best  dia- 


20      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

meter,  and  from  three  to  six  feet  the  best  length.  We  are  now  construct- 
ing our  rollers  of  separate  cast  iron  sections,  about  one  foot  long,  and  can 
thus  make  them  up  of  any  required  length. 

Rollers  for  Distant  Transportation. — Iron  sections,  about  20  inches  dia- 
meter, and  one  foot  wide,  are  furnished  with  or  without  the  arbor  or  axle- 
tree,  to  which  the  framework  can  easily  be  attached  by  any  carpenter 
or  smith. 

Stone  rollers  are  made  of  one  solid  piece  of  stone,  and  are  more  proper 
for  gravel  walks  or  lawns  than  for  the  field  ;  iron,  however,  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred in  every  instance.  Wooden  rollers  may  be  made  in  the  most 
simple  manner  from  a  smooth,  round  white  oak  log,  20  to  30  inches 
diameter.  Saw  off  the  ends  perpendicular  with  the  surface  of  the  log, 
and  then  insert  iron  gudgeons  of  about  an  inch  and  a  half  or  two  inches 
diameter,  and  for  these  to  roll  in,  make  a  square  frame  of  4  by  6  inch 
stuff,  boring  holes  to  fit  the  gudgeons  in  the  side  pieces.  These  are  held 
together  by  cross-pieces,  one  of  which  is  placed  immediately  before  and 
the  other  directly  behind  the  roller.  They  are  sometimes  made  like 
drums  for  carrying  belts  to  move  machinery. 

It  is  surprising  that  so  little  attention  is  paid  to  the  use  of  so  serviceable 
an  implement  as  the  roller.  It  tends  to  bind  a  sandy  soil,  and  finely  pul- 
verizes the  lumps  of  that  of  the  most  adhesive  clay.  In  passing  it  over 
recent  sown  crops,  it  has  a  tendency  to  keep  out  insects,  especially  from 
the  turnip  crop,  as  it  binds  the  surface  so  close  that  they  are  not  likely  to 
penetrate  it.  It  should  always  be  used  after  seeding  down  meadows,  as 
it  leaves  a  much  smoother  and  more  level  surface  for  the  scythe  and  rake 
to  pass  over.  It  would  be  well  to  pass  it  over  meadows  every  spring,  in 
order  to  roll  down  any  upheavings  from  the  frost  or  poaching  of  the  cat- 
tle. The  ground  should  always  be  dry  when  the  roller  is  used,  especially 
in  a  soil  where  there  is  the  slightest  admixture  of  clay,  otherwise  it  would 
so  bind  the  ground  together  that  the  crop  would  find  it  difficult  to  shoot 
up  through  the  surface  after  germinating. 

Prices  vary  from  $16  to  $65. 

SEED   SOWERS. 

(Fig.  15.)  Seed  sowers  are  of 

many  kinds,  and  pri- 
ces vary  accordingly, 
from  $3  to  $15.  The 
cheaper  kinds  we  con- 
sider as  entirely  worth- 
less to  sow  any  but  the 
smallest  seeds,  such  as 
onions  and  turnips.  We 
have  recently  got  up 
an  improved  seed  sow- 
er, something  like  the 
annexed  cut.  The  per- 
son using  it  takes  it  by  the  handles,  the  same  as  he  would  a  wheel-bar- 
row, and  trundles  it  rapidly  along,  sowing  from  two  to  five  acres  per  day, 
according  to  the  distance"  of  the  rows  apart.  These  implements  save 
half  the  seed  or  more,  over  hand-sowing,  thus  making  a  double  saving. 
The  seed  is  put  into  a  hopper,  and  falls  through  a  funnel  into  a  drill  made 
by  the  share,  and  is  then  covered  by  the  roller.  It  can  be  set  to  plant  at 
different  depths.  It  is  useless  to  attempt  to  use  it  in  a  stiff  clay  soil ;  the 
ground  must  be  fine  and  well  pulverized  to  ensure  its  working  well.  In 
the  Improved  Seed  Sower,  there  are  two  cylinders  ;  one  is  used  for  sow- 
ing onions,  turnips,  carrots,  parsnips,  millet,  and  other  light  grain.  This 
is  then  taken  out  and  another  cylinder  is  inserted  for  sowing  beets,  peas, 
beans,  corn,  &c.    The  price  with  single  cylinder  is  $12  00.    With  extra 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


21 


cylinder  SI 5  00.     It  is  very  strong  and  complete,  and  we  do  not  hesitate 
to  say  the  best  now  in  use. 

Bachelder's  Corn- 
Planter. — This  is  the 
best  machine  we  have 
yet  seen  for  planting 
corn.  The  seed  is  put 
into  the  hopper  above 
the  beam,  and  as  the 
horse  moves  along, 
the  share  below  opens 
the  furrow ;  the  corn  is  then  dropped  by  arms  moving  horizontally. 
These  arms  have  holes  in  them  of  a  proper  size  to  receive  any  required 
number  of  grains,  and  as  they  pass  in  and  out  of  the  hopper  the  holes 
are  sure  to  be  filled  with  the  seed,  which  as  surely  drops  into  a  tube  con- 
ducting it  to  the  bottom  of  the  drill  made  by  the  share,  which  is  so  formed 
that  it  passes  under  the  surface  at  any  required  depth,  and  deposits  the 
grain  without  turning  over  the  earth.  A  triangular  iron  follows  to  re- 
move all  lumps  and  stones,  and  a  roller  to  compress  the  earth  over  the 
seed.  The  dropping  of  the  seed  is  always  visible  to  the  operator,  and 
thus  ensures  his  work  being  perfectly  well  done.  The  arms  are  made  to 
drop  the  corn  nearer  or  farther  apart  by  different  sized  wheels  fastened 
on  the  crank,  moving  the  arms  quicker  or  slower  as  required.  Those  usu- 
ally made  here  drop  from  two  feet  to  four  feet  apart,  as  wished.  The 
machine  requires  a  small  horse  or  mule  to  draw  it,  and  with  a  boy  to 
tend  it  and  drive,  will  plant  two  to  four  acres  per  day,  according  to  the 
width  of  the  rows  apart.  Price,  $14  00  to  $16  00. 

Grindstone. — (Fig.  17.) 


These  are  now  gene- 
rally hung  on  friction  roll- 
ers, and  are  moved  with 
a  treadle.  The  person 
grinding  can  thus  turn  his 
own  stone  without  the 
assistance  of  another. 

The  friction  rollers  ren- 
der the  movement  of  the 
stone  very  easy.  Any 
one  can  hang  the  stone 
on  these  rollers. 

Price  of  rollers  $2  50 
to  $4  00. 


22      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

Bcll-Rings.— (Fig.  18.) 

Every  bull  should  be  rung  after  attaining 
the  age  of  one  year.  It  is  easily  done  by 
punching  the  cartilage  between  the  nostrils, 
and  then  inserting  the  ring  and  screwing  it 
together.  With  a  ring  in  his  nose,  the  most 
fractious  animal  is  easibly  manageable. 

Price  bO  to  75  cents. 


CULTIVATORS. 

Cultivators  are  of  various  kinds  ;  we  could  enumerate  at  least  twenty. 
The  object  of  them  is  to  run  between  the  rows  of  beets,  potatoes,  and 
other  roots;  corn,  cotton,  cane,  &c.  They  are  admirable  implements  to 
stir  the  ground  and  destroy  the  weeds,  and  for  these  purposes  they  will 
do  the  work  of  two  or  three  plows.  They  are  absolutely  indispensable 
on  the  farm  and  plantation,  and  in  the  garden. 

The  celebrated  Tull  was  the  first  who  used  cultivators  to  any  extent. 
He  contended  that  repeated  stirrings  of  the  earth  were  equivalent  to  ma- 
nuring it;  and  in  triumphant  evidence  of  this,  he  pointed  to  a  poor  field 
where  he  had  grown  crops  for  thirteen  years  without  manure,  or  summer 
fallowing,  or  plowing  ha  a  single  green  crop  to  fertilize  it ;  and  yet  his 
last  crops  were  the  best.  He  even  sowed  wheat  and  other  grain  in  drills 
or  rows  so  wide  apart  as  to  be  able  to  work  the  cultivator  between  them, 
and  thus  obtained  on  a  poor  soil  48  bushels  per  acre  ! 


Horse  Cultivator. — (Fig.  20.) 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


23 


Figs.  19  and  20  show  different  kinds  of  teeth,  and  with  or  without  the 
wheel.  The  wheel  we  consider  essential,  as  it  makes  the  cultivator 
move  easier  and  steadier,  and  also  gauges  the  depth  of  the  teeth  entering 
the  ground.  Some  have  harrow  teeth  in  them ;  others  with  Hat  knives 
like  a  small  hoe  blade  ;  others  again,  with  reverse  teeth,  which,  when 
the  point  of  one  end  is  worn  off,  can  be  reversed,  and  used  at  the  other 
end.  In  addition  to  these,  coulter  teeth  are  added  ;  and  sometimes  the 
two  hind  teeth  are  made  like  a  plowshare,  to  throw  the  dirt  towards  the 
rows  of  corn,  cotton,  &c,  while  the  middle  teeth  cut  up  the  weeds  be- 
tween the  rows.  They  are  made  to  expand  from  2£  to  5  feet.  Price  of 
cultivators  like  figs.  19  and  20,  without  wheel,  $5  00;  with  wheel,  $5  50. 
The  Reversed  Tooth  Cultivator,  with  wheel,  costs  $6  50.  Others  vary  in 
price  according  to  their  make. 


Hand  Cultivator. — (Fig.  21.) 


This  is  made  entirely  of  iron,  except  the  handle,  and  will  expand  from 
10  to  18  inches.  It  is  a  very  useful  implement  in  the  garden  for  clearing 
out  the  rows  of  beets,  carrots,  parsnips,  and  indeed  everything  sowed  in 
drills,  raking  up  beds,  &c.     It  will  do  the  work  of  four  men  at  least. 

Price,  $3  00. 

CORN   SHELLERS. 

Hand  Corn  Shellers. — (Fig.  22.) 

These  are  of  various  patterns  and 
prices.  That  in  most  common  use  is 
upon  the  same  principle  as  fig.  23. 
Some  like  the  cuts  are  made  with  cast 
iron  frames,  and  some  with  wood. 
The  last  are  preferable,  as  anyone  can 
repair  them  when  broken,  and  the 
grain  does  not  fly  or  scatter,  as  it  is 
shelled,  the  shelling  plate  being  en- 
cased with  wood,  like  fig.  25.  They 
will  shell  from  100  to  150  bushels  of 
ears  per  day,  moved  by  hand. 

Price  from  $7  00  to  $10  00. 


24  ^HORTICULTURAL   AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

Hand  Corn  Sheller.— (Fig.  23.) 


Burrall's  Hand  Corn  Sheller. — This  is  a  recent  improvement,  as  it 
separates  the  corn  from  the  cob  in  shelling.  Will  shell  the  same  quantity 
per  hour  as  other  hand-shellers.  Price,  $10  00. 


Corn  Sheller.     (Fig.  24.) 


The  annexed  figure 
represents  Goldsboro's 
Patent  Cylindrical  Corn 
Sheller  and  Husker,  for 
horse  power.  This  ma- 
chine is  worthy  the  at- 
tention of  extensive 
corn  growers  ;  they  are 
capable  of  shelling  1 30 
bushels  per  hour,  and 
are  warranted  to  shell 
1200  bushels  per  day, 
without  any  extra  ef- 
fort; they  break  no 
corn  and  leave  none  on 
the  cob.  This  machine 
will  also  husk  and  shell 
about  half  the  above 
quantity  in  a  day. 

Price  $40  00. 


Baldwin's  Corn  Sheller  and  Cleaner. — A  horse  power  machine- 
separates  the  cob  and  chaff  from  the  corn,  and  puts  it  in  complete  order 
for  market  by  one  operation.  Price,  $40  00. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


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There  is  another  kind  of  Corn  Sheller  on  something  the  same  principle 
as  Smith's ;  the  cylinder,  however,  is  upright  instead  of  horizontal.  We 
cannot  recommend  it  as  highly  as  Smith's.  It  will  shell  about  100  bush- 
els of  ears  per  hour.     Price,  from  $25  00  to  $30  00. 

MILLS. 


Cast  Iron  Mill. — This  is  the  best  kind  of  mill  for  hand  use.  It  is  a 
recent  invention.  It  has  a  double  action,  and  grinds  all  kinds  of  grain  in 
the  most  perfect  manner,  except  wheat  for  flouring.  It  will  grind  one 
and  a  half  bushels  per  hour.  It  is  admirable  for  cracking  corn  for  hom- 
many,  and  grinding  meal  for  fowls.  Every  farmer  and  planter  should 
have  one  of  them,  it  being  very  convenient  to  do  the  little  jobs  of  grind- 
ing. Price,  $7  00. 

Those  made  to  work  by  horse  or  water  power,  grind  five  to  six  bushels 
per  hour.  Price,  $30  00.  The  plates  will  last  one  or  two  years,  and 
when  worn  out  with  grinding,  new  ones  can  be  supplied  for  what  it 
would  cost  to  dress  the  face  of  a  pair  of  burr  mill-stones. 


2-, 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


Spice  Mills. — The  cast  iron  hand  mill  above  is  admirably  adapted  for 
grinding  spices. 

Patent  Corn  Mill.     (Fig.  26.) 

The  annexed  cut  repre- 
sents Sinclair  &  Co.'?  Dew 
Corn  Mill,  which  is  admir- 
ably adapted  for  planta- 
tion use, or  as  aMarylander 
says  of  them, "  even-  plan- 
ter having  this  useful  ma- 
chine becomes  his  own 
miller."  They  grind  coarse 
or  hue  meal  with  equal  fa- 
cility, perfection  and  de- 
spatch, at  the  rate  of  2i 
or  3  bushels  per  hour. 

When  the  screen  is  at- 
tached (as  shown  in  the 
centre  of  the  cut)  and  fine 
meal  is  required  to  be 
ground,  it  will  be  neces- 
sary to  drive  the  Mill  by 
horse-power  (say  two  hor- 
ses) ;  coarse  meal  for  hor- 
ses may  be  ground  by  two 
men  with  good  success. 

The  grinding  plates  which  are  made  of  the  hardest  composition  metal, 
will  last  about  two  years  without  renewing ;  after  they  are  worn  smooth 
new  ones  may  be  put  on  without  difficulty.  A  feeder  is  attached  to  the 
axle  which  is  intended  to  pass  the  grain  into  the  plates  at  regular  inter- 
vals. The  feeder  is  important,  and  obviates  the  difficulty  and  objection 
to  Cast  Iron  Mills  generally.     Price,  with  one  set  extra  plates,  $40  00. 

Corn  and  Cob  Crcsher. — (Fig.  27.) 


The  annexed  cut  repre- 
sents Sinclair  &  Co.'s  Corn 
and  Cob  Crusher,  which  is 
admirably  adapted  for 
plantation  use ;  the  con- 
struction is  very  simple, 
compact,  and  not  easily 
put  out  of  order.  The 
grinding  plates  are  made 
of  the  hardest  composi- 
tion metal,  which  will  last 
from  two  to  three  years. 
After  they  are  worn  smooth 
new  plates  may  be  substi- 
tuted without  difficulty ; 
on  the  axle  is  attached  a 
strong  spiral  knife,  which 
cuts  the  cob  in  small  pie- 
ces, preparatory  to  enter- 
ing the  plates.  Price,  with 
one  set  extra  plates, 

$30  00. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


27 


Baldwin's  Corn  and  Cob  Crusher. — (Fig.  28.) 

This  valuable  machine 
is  capable  of  grinding 
(by  a  light  two  horse 
power)  20  to  25  bushels 
of  corn  and  cobs  per 
hour,  and  can  be  regu- 
lated by  a  pinch  screw  to 
give  coarse  or  fine  at 
pleasure.  It  occupies  a 
space  of  four  by  two  feet, 
and  is  about  four  and  a 
half  feet  high.  The  first 
impression  on  the  cob  is 
made  by  two  fluted  cyl- 
inders, placed  horizon 
tally,  that  operate  similar 
to  the  nuts  of  an  apple 
grinder ;  these  are  in- 
tended merely  to  crush 
the  cob  ;  after  this  pro- 
cess it  passes  immedi- 
ately through  two  finer 
fluted  or  ratched  cylin- 
ders, and  a  cast  iron  con- 
cave, which  last  process 
leaves  the  article  ground  on  an  average  as  fine  as  a  common  early  garden 
pea,  the  coarsest  being  as  fine  as  a  grain  of  flint  corn,  and  the  finest 
ground  entirely  into  meal.  Price,  $65  00. 

Corn  and  cob  meal  will  go  farther  in  feeding  all  kinds  of  stock  than 
pure  corn  unground.  Mules  and  horses  kept  upon  it  are  not  near  as  lia- 
ble to  colic  as  when  fed  on  the  corn  alone.  Cobs  are  quite  nutritious, 
and  to  grind  them  up  with  the  corn  is  a  great  saving,  more  especially  if 
the  meal  be  cooked  before  feeding  it  to  the  stock. 


Bark  Mill.— (Fig.  29.) 


This  is  much  used  at  the  South  for 
grinding  bark.  At  the  North  and  West 
it  is  used  for  breaking  up  the  corn  and 
cob  preparatory  to  grinding  it  with  com- 
mon mill-stones.  It  requires  a  power 
equal  to  eight  or  ten  horses,  to  break  up 
the  corn  and  cob  ;  a  two-horse  power  is 
sufficient  to  grind  bark.  It  is  made  of 
cast  iron.  Price,  $12  00  to  $50  00,  ac- 
cordingly as  it  may  be  rigged. 


28 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


Burr  Stone  Mills. — These  mills  grind  all  kinds  of  grain  and  -wheat 

for  flouring.     12  inch  stones  grind  2  bushels  per  hour.     Price,  $-15  00 

16     "         "           "3         "             "  "  70  00 

20     "         "           "       4         "             "  "  90  00 

24     "         "           "       5i       "             "  "  110  00 

30     "         "           "       7         "             "  "  150  00 

VEGETABLE   CUTTERS. 

.Vegetable  Cutter. — (Fig.  30.) 


RUGGLES,   NOURSE,   AND   MASON'S   VEGETABLE   CuTTER. — (Fig.  31.) 


Fig.  31  shows  Ruggles,  Nourse,  and  Mason's  Vegetable  Cutter.    The 
cutting  wheel  is  made  of  cast  iron,  faced  on  one  side,  through  which  are 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


28 


inserted  three  knives  like  plane-irons.  These  cut  the  vegetables  into  thin 
slices  with  great  rapidity,  and  then  by  cross-knives  they  are  cut  into  Blips 
of  convenient  form  and  size  for  cattle  or  sheep  to  eat,  without  danger  of 
choking.  The  pieces  after  cutting  lie  loosely  and  angling  together,  and 
can  easily  be  taken  up  by  the  animals.  This  machine  cuts  one  bushel 
in  two  minutes.  Price,  $12  00.  j 

Cylindrical  Vegetable  Cutter. — (Fig.  32.) 

A  These  machines  will  cut  about 

800  bushels  of  beets,  turnips,  &c, 
per  day.  They  can  be  regulated 
to  cut  thick  or  thin  pieces  at  plea- 
sure 

Price,  $8  00  to  $20  00. 


Roots  should  invariably  be  cut  previous  to  feeding ;  there  is  no  dan- 
cer then  of  animals  getting  choked  with  them.  When  they  are  merely 
sliced  the  pieces  adhere  close  together,  and  it  is  difficult  for  the  animals 
to  get  hold  of  them.  It  is  much  better  to  cut  them  into  angular  pieces, 
which  is  easily  done  by  figs.  30  and  31.  The  latter  cuts  two  ways,  and 
is  a  very  superior  machine,  of  a  recent  construction. 

CORN  STALK,  HAY,  AND  STRAW  CUTTERS. 

There  is  great  saving  in  the  cutting  of  corn  stalks,  hay,  and  straw,  in 
two  ways.  The  animals  do  not  waste  it  by  drawing  it  out  of  their  man- 
gers, and  trampling  it  under  their  feet,  n  I  time  and  labor  are  saved  them 
in  masticating.  They  obtain  their  supply  of  food  readily,  and  then  lie 
down  to  digest  it.  Fermentation  also  developes  the  nutritive  matter  and 
leaves  much  less  work  for  the  stomach  to  perform,  and  this,  by  saving 
muscular  exertion,  leaves  more  strength  with  the  animal  to  be  expended 
on  his  ordinary  work.  The  same  principle  holds  with  milk  cows,  sheep, 
&.c.  If  the  food  be  given  to  them  in  a  form  more  carefully  adapted  to  assi- 
milation in  the  animal  system,  the  greater  product  of  milk,  wool,  flesh,  &c, 
they  can  yield  from  the  same  quantity.  Cutting,  bruising,  grinding,  fer- 
menting, and  cooking  the  food,  all  tend  much  to  fit  it  for  easy  and  rapid 
digestion,  and  whenever  it  can  be  thus  prepared  without  too  much  expen- 
diture of  labor,  it  should  be  done.  By  adopting  a  mixed  food,  much  of 
the  coarser  products  of  the  farm  can  be  worked  up,  which  are  now  suf- 
fered to  be  added  to  the  mauure  heap.  Indeed,  scarcely  any  of  the  vege- 
table productions  of  the  farm  need  be  suffered  to  run  to  waste,  till  they 
have  first  contributed  all  the  nutriment  they  contain  to  the  support  of  ani- 
mal life.     Cutting  hay  is  like  making  mince  meat.    There  is  nearly  the 


30 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


same  nutriment  in  the  tough  pieces,  and  even  gristle,  as  in  the  tender 
ones.  Now  chop  these  up  fine,  and  properly  cook,  and  season  them,  and 
the  dish  is  eaten  with  peculiar  relish,  easily  digests,  and  goes  twice  as  far 
as  in  the  ordinary  method  of  taking  the  meat  in  slices. 

In  feedhig  hay  and  straw  it  would  be  well  to  wet  it  slightly,  and  season  it 
with  a  little  meal.  If  the  weather  be  not  so  cold  as  to  freeze,  this  should 
be  done  a  day  or  two  beforehand,  and  allowed  partially  to  ferment. 

Common  Hand  Straw  Cdtter. — (Fig.  33.) 

With  these  the  straw  is 
moved  up  by  hand,  and  the 
knife  is  used  by  handlever. 
Of  course  one  can  cut  the 
straw,  &c,  as  long  or  as 
short  as  he  pleases.  It  is 
a  very  simple  machine, 
and  easily  kept  in  order  ; 
though  when  more  than 
three  or  four  animals  are 
fed  it  cuts  so  slow  we 
should  recommend  other 
machines  in  place  of  it. 

Price,  S3  00  to  84  50. 


Stevens'  Spiral  Straw  Cutter. — (Fig-  34.) 

This  is  the  best  cutter  for  hay 
and  straw  that  we  know  of;  but 
we  cannot  recommend  it  for 
corn  stalks,  though  many  who 
have  used  them  say,  that  they 
cut  corn  stalks  perfectly  well. 
It  is  simple  in  its  construction, 
and  easily  kept  in  order.  It 
feeds  itself,  and  the  whole  pro- 
cess of  cutting  is  performed 
by  turning  a  crank,  which  is 
light  work  for  a  boy.  The 
knives  are  spiral,  and  set  in  an 
iron  cylinder,  cutting  again/st 
a  raw  hide  cylinder  placed  on 
top.  It  cuts  from  one  to  one 
and  a  half  mches  long,  accord- 
ing to  the  number  of  blades  in 
the  cylinder.    It  cuts  with  great  rapidity.  Price,  $10  00  to  $20  00. 

We  have  the  same  kind  made  larger  and  stronger,  and  rigged  to  go  by 
horse  power.  It  has  cut  one  ton  of  hay  in  50  minutes,  by  a  fair  trial,  and 
may  be  calculated  upon  for  cutting  a  ton  any  time  in  an  hour  and  a  quar- 
ter. We  have  no  doubt  that  this  size  would  answer  well  to  cut  corn 
stalks.  Price,  $20  00  to  $26  00. 

Cylindrical  Straw  Cutter.— This  cutter  we  can  highly  recommend 
for  corn  stalks,  hay,  or  straw.  It  is  simple  in  its  construction,  very 
strongly  made,  and  upon  the  whole  is  the  most  suitable  for  the  South. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


31 


Cylindrical  Straw  Cutter. — (Fig.  35.) 


11  inch  Box  same  construction,  suited  to  manual  power, 

Extra  knives  per  set, 
9  inch  Box  same  construction, 

Extra  knives  per  set, 

Truck.— (Fig,  36.) 


Sinclair  &  Co. 's  Cyl- 
indrical Straw  Cut- 
ters are  self-feeders, 
knives  are  of  spiral 
form,  and  act  on  a 
bed -steel  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  cut  with 
great  ease,  without  a 
very  keen  edge  ;  ma- 
ny thousand  bushels 
have  been  cut  with 
them  without  sharp- 
ening the  knives. 

20  inch  Cylindrical 
Straw  Cutters  suited 
to  horse  or  steam 
power,  capable  of 
cutting  from  1500  to 
2000  bushels  per  day, 
$75  00. 

Extra  knives  per 
set,  $8  00. 

14  inch  Box  same 
construction,  sxiited  to 
manual  or  horse  pow- 
er, $45-  00. 

Extra  knives  per 
set,  $5  00. 


$30  00> 

4  0O 

25  0O 

3  0Q 


For  trucking  by  hand,  boxes,  bales,  &c,  in  the  store. 

Price, 


00  to  87  00 


32  HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS 

FAN   MILLS. 


provements  in  it,  which  consist  in  adding  to  the  screen  and  other  parts  in 
general  use  in  fan  mills,  an  additional  screen,  and  what  is  denominated  a 
chess-board,  Avhich  are  arranged  in  such  a  maimer  as  to  cause  a  much 
stronger  blast  of  wind  to  act  upon  the  grain  at  the  lower  part  of  the  shak- 
ing sieves  or  screens  than  at  the  upper,  and  thereby  to  aid  the  action  of 
said  sieves  in  effecting  the  screening,  by  which  means  the  chaffing  and 
screening  are  performed  simultaneously.  All  other  fan-mills  require  that 
wheat  should  be  run  through  twice,  to  clean  it  thoroughly,  while  the  Pa- 
tent Fan  Mill  will  chaff  and  screen  wheat  more  effectually  in  one  opera- 
tion than  other  mills  will  in  two  operations,  thereby  saving  half  the  time 
and  labor  required  by  old  mills.  The  Patent  Fan  Mill  will  also  clean  all 
kinds  of  grain,  such  as  rye,  buck-wheat,  oats,  corn,  peas,  beans,  clover, 
timothy,  and  flax-seed,  in  one  single  operation.  Oats  and  peas  are  sepa- 
rated by  being  run  through  the  mill  once. 

Directions  for  Cleaning  Grain  and  Seed.— Tor  chaffing  and  screening 
wheat,  put  No.  2  sieve  in  No.  1  groove,  No.  4  in  No.  3  groove,  No.  9  hi 
No.  4  groove,  and  the  board  in  No.  5  groove  pushed  back  even  with  No. 
9  sieve.  If  cleaning  for  seed,  put  No.  7  in  No.  6  groove ;  if  for  market, 
put  No.  8  in  No.  6  groove — give  it  the  middle  shake,  and  open  the  air  slides. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


33 


For  rye  anil  buck-wheat,  put  No.  2  in  No.  1  groove,  No.  4  in  No.  3 
groove,  No.  8  in  No.  6  groove,  and  give  it  the  long  shake,  if  you  want  to 
screen  rye  the  same  as  you  do  wheat  for  market. 

For  oats,  put  No.  1  sieve  in  No.  1  groove,  No  2  in  No.  3  groove.  If  to 
separate  oats  and  peas,  or  take  out  thistle  heads,  put  No.  4  in  place  of 
No.  2— give  it  the  long  shake,  and  close  the  air  slides  part  way  up. 

For  corn,  peas,  and  beans,  put  No.  2  sieve  in  No.  2  groove,  the  board 
in  No.  6  groove — open  the  air  slides  and  give  it  the  short  shake. 

For  flax  seed,  put  No.  4  sieve  in  No.  2  groove,  No.  8  in  No.  4  groove, 
No.  12  in  No.  6  groove— shut  up  the  air  slides  and  give  it  the  long  shake. 

For  timothy  and  clover  seed,  put  No.  4  sieve  in  No.  1  groove, No.  12  in 
No.  3  groove,  and  the  board  in  No.  6  groove — shut  the  air  slides  and  give 
it  the  long  shake.  If  you  want  your  timothy  seed  perfectly  clean,  you 
must  put  a  No.  20  sieve  in  place  of  No.  12. 

Be  careful  that  the  mill  stands  level,  that  the  grain  works  equal  on  the 
sieves,  and  keep  it  well  oiled  with  winter  strained  lamp  oil.  The  sieves 
are  numbered  according  to  the  number  of  meshes  to  the  square  inch. 

Price,  $20  00  to  $27  00. 

There  are  various  other  kinds  of  fan  mills.    Price,  $12  00  to  $35  00. 


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34      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

1  Man  and  team, $1  50 

1  Boy  to  drive, 50 

$2  00  per  day, 

which  for  8  days  is $16  00 

Add  interest  for  1  year  on  the  cost  of  the  machine, 7  00 


Cost  of  cutting  104  acres  of  Avheat  by  machine, S'23  00 

If  the  same  had  been  cradled,  and  supposing  the  average  quantity,  per 
man,  per  day,  to  be  about  two  acres,  it  would  require  six  cradles  to  cut 
104  acres  in  eight  days.  At  13  acres  per  day  the  cost  of  six  cradles,  in- 
cluding board  and  lodging,  at  $1  50  per  day,  is  $72  00.  This  show?  a 
gain  of  $49  00  in  favor  of  the  machine.  If,  however,  farmers  employ 
men  who  day  after  day  can  cradle  more  than  two  acres  per  day,  the  esti- 
mate can  readily  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  greater  manual  power. 
It  would  seem  that  the  usual  quantity  may  be  assumed  at  two  acres  per 
day  for  continued  labor.  In  addition,  we  may  estimate  that  six  cradles 
would  require  nine  rakers  and  binders ;  whereas  the  machine  thus  far 
has  required  but  seven  followers,  making  a  saving  of  two  men  at  §1  00 
each,  is  $2  00  per  day,  which  for  eight  days  gives  $16  00  in  favor  of  the 
machine.  If  these  calculations  are  correct,  it  will  be  perceived  that  Mr. 
D.  saved  $65  00  m  harvesting  his  wheat  crop  alone. 

Since  the  ingathering  of  the  wheat,  we  understand  he  has  used  the 
machine  for  cutting  oats  and  flax.  The  farmers  for  many  miles  around 
Geneva  came  to  examine  the  machine  while  at  work,  and  were  all  sur- 
prised at  the  rapidity  and  neatness  of  its  execution;  but  above  all,  the 
facility  with  which  it  cuts  the  lodged  grain,  leaving  nothing  in  the  fields 
to  be  gleaned,  which  is  another  great  advantage  in  its  use. 

Price,  $110  00  to  $120  00. 

Thrashing  Machines. — These  are  made  with  spikes  or  beaters.  The 
first  is  considered  the  best,  as  they  thrash  the  cleanest,  although  the  beat- 
ers do  not  break  the  straw  as  much.  They  will  thrash  from  50  to  100 
bushels  per  day.  Price,  $25  00  to  $35  00. 

A  separator  is  attached  when  ordered,  which  separates  the  grain  from 
the  chaff,  and  makes  it  much  more  easy  to  clean  with  the  fan-mill. 

Price  of  thrashers  with  separator  attached,  $40  00. 

Clover  Mills. — These  will  clean  from  5  to  1 5  bushels  per  day. 

Price,  $35  00  to  $65  00. 

Rice  and  Coffee  Hullers. — Hulls  from  2  to  10  bushels  per  hour. 

Price,  $80  00  to  $200  00. 

The  Bush  or  Root  Puller. — (Fig.  39.) 

This  is  a  very  useful 
implement  to  attach  to 
bushes,  clumps  of  roots, 
and  bogs,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  pulling  them  out 
of  the  ground.  It  is 
made  with  two,  three,  or 
four  claws.  These  are 
hooked  to  the  bush  close 
■K^  to   the   ground,  an   ox- 

chain  is  then  hooked  in- 
to a  hole  at  the  other  end  of  the  puller,  the  cattle  attached,  when  the 
bush  and  roots  are  easily  hauled  out.  It  will  do  the  work  of  half  a  dozen 
men  in  clearing  and  grubbing.  Price,  $3  00  to  $4  00. 


HORTICULTURAL   AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


HORSE   POWERS 


36 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


powers,  with  belt,  complete,  from  $55  50  to  $60  00.  The  latter  is  recom- 
mended as  being  the  strongest  and  most  desirable.  Price  of  four  horse 
cast  iron  power,  $95  00.  If  made  cheaper  than  this  they  will  be  light 
and  very  liable  to  break  and  get  out  of  order.  These  powers  are  parti- 
cularly recommended  for  the  South. 


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HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.     37 

Endless  Chain  Wooden  Hor6e  Power. — These  are  made  in  the  shape 
of  a  long  box,  into  which  the  horse  is  placed,  and  as  he  walks  in  it, 
turns  the  chain  which  gives  the  power.  Price  of  single  horse  power, 
$75  00.  Price  of  two  horse  power,  $1 1 0  00.  These  powers  may  be 
worked  out  of  doors,  though  it  is  best  to  have  them  under  cover,  if  it  be 
only  an  open  shed. 

Improved  Eagle  Cotton  Gin. — (Fig.  42.) 


Description. — c,  driving  brush  pulley  ;  b,  slide ;  e,  e,  end  boards  ;  d,  cyl- 
inder pulley  ;  e,  top  board  ;  /,  saws ;  g,  grate  fall ;  h,  seed  board,  with  a 
section  of  the  patent  grate  below  it ;  i,  idler  pulley. 

After  carefully  unpacking  the  different  parts  of  the  Gin,  put  the  front 
pieces  into  the  posts  and  fasten  them  seeurely  with  the  joint-bolts. 

The  Saw  Cylinder  should  be  first  placed  in  the  frame,  then  the  piece 
having  the  false  grates  upon  it,  and  then  the  brush.  The  top  timbers 
may  then  be  put  on  and  fastened.  See  that  all  parts  of  the  frame  are 
square.  The  grate  fall  should  then  be  hung  in  its  place,  and  the  top 
boards  and  slides  fitted  in,  so  that  the  marks  on  their  ends  will  corres- 
pond with  those  on  the  timbers.  Then  adjust  the  saw  cylinder  and  false 
grates  with  the  tempering  screws  at  the  ends,  6o  that  the  saws  and  grates 
will  exaetly  correspond,  taking  eare  not  to  turn  the  screws  any  farther 
than  is  sufficient  to  keep  them  steady  and  in  their  places. 

See  that  all  joints  of  the  frame  are  screwed  up  tight— place  the  Gin  in 
the  position  in  which  it  is  to  stand,  and  fasten  it  securely  to  the  floor  or 
platform,  so  that  it  will  stand  perfectly  level.  See  that  the  shafts  turn 
freely  on  their  axes,  and  that  the  saws  run  freely  in  the  centre  of  the 
spaees  between  the  grate6. 

The  oil  cups  at  the  axes  of  the  shafts  should  be  nearly  filled  with  oil 
when  the  Gin  is  started,  and  the  wick  which  conveys  the  oil  to  the  axes 
should  be  enlarged  or  diminished,  until  the  proper  quantity  is  supplied  to 
prevent  friction.  The  tube  containing  the  wick  should  be  withdrawn 
when  the  Gin  is  stopped,  and  dropped  into  the  cup  to  prevent  wasting 
the  oil,  and  replaced  again  when  the  Gin  is  again  put  in  operation. 

The  saw  cylinder  and  the  piece  having  the  false  grates  upon  it,  may 
be  moved  endwise  and  adjusted  by  the  screws  at  their  ends. 

Place  the  mote-board  3  to  5  inches  below  the  brush,  slanting  down  to- 
ward the  front  part  of  the  Gin,  and  extend  another  board  from  beneath  it 
down  to  the  floor;  it  must  then  be  moved  either  forward  or  back,  and 
the  slant  of  it  varied  until  the  motes  and  false  seeds  are  separated  from 
the  seed  cotton  and  fall  under  the  saw  cylinder. 

The  seed-board  may  be  raised  or  lowered  by  means  of  the  small  bolts 
on  whieh  it  rests  at  the  ends,  and  it  may  be  varied  so  as  to  enlarge  or  di- 
minish the  spaee  containing  the  seed  cotton. 


38 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


A  10  inch  saw  cylinder  should  run  about  180  revolutions  per  minute, 

A  12  inch         "  "  160 

A  13  inch         "  '  150 

Great  care  should  be  taken  to  fix  the  mote-board  in  a  proper  position 
to  separate  the  motes  from  the  clean  cotton,  as  well  as  to  adjust  the  seed- 
board,  so  that  the  seeds  will  be  discharged  as  fast  as  ginned,  and  it  is  es- 
sential that  the  speed  of  the  brush  should  be  very  rapid,  and  that  all  the 
axes  should  be  kept  oiled  and  prevented  from  heating. 

Price  of  Hand  Gins,  with   14  to    18  saws  each,  $60  00.     Power  Gin? 
with  30  to  100  saws  each,  $3  70  per  saw. 


Scripture's  Carriage  Wheel. 
C 


-(Fig.  43.) 


Description. — A,  is  a  perspective 
elevation  of  the  wheel  entire. 

B,  is  a  detached,  or  one-half  part 
of  the  nave  or  hub,  in  which  rests 
the  ends  of  one-half  of  the  spokes. 

C.  is  a  cross  section  of  the  en- 
tire wheel,  showing  the  position 
of  the  spokes  and  the  separate 
parts  of  the  hub. 

a,  a,  a,  represent  the  pipe-box, 
passing  through  the  two  naves,  or 
cheek  pieces,  c,  c,  having  on  th» 
inside  a  connected  flange  of  the 
same  diameter  as  the  naves,  and 
covering  the  open  end  of  the  one 
next  the  vehicle,  while  at  the  other 
end  a  screw  thread  is  cut  to  re- 
ceive the  screw  flange,  or  front  of 
rhe  hub,  represented  by  b,  which, 
by  means  of  a  wrench,  is  screwed 
firmly  upon  the  pipe-box ;  by 
which  means  the  two  naves  being  accurately  fitted  to  the  pipe,  are  made 
to  approach  each  other,  thereby  causing  the  spokes  to  act  as  powerful 
levers,  and  producing  the  same  effect  that  is-  sought  to  be  obtained  by  re- 
setting the-  tire  of  the  ordinary  wheel,  but  with  the  very  important  differ- 
ence, that  while  the  one  is  effected  by  a  considerable  expense  of  time  and. 
money,  and  with  a  positive  injury  to  the  wheel,  the  same  result  is  brought 
about  in  the  other  by  a  few  minutes'  application,  and  without  incurring 
any  expense  or  injuring  the  wheel. 

Ordinary  wheels  become  rim-bound  in  consequence  ©f  inadequate  sup- 
port in  the  hub ;  while  by  this  method  of  constructing  wheels,  this  diffi- 
culty is  obviated  at  once,  by  applying  the  wrench  to  the  hub,  and  turning 
it  up,  more  or  less,  as  the  case  requires. 

In  dry  weather,  wheels  are  apt  to  become  loose,  from  the  shrinking  of 
the  wood,  and  one  day's  use  in  that  condition  damages  them  more  than 
a  month's  wear  when  in  good  order;  which  can  always  be  maintained  by 
a  proper  pressure  of  the  spokes  to  the  rim.  The  felloes  of  wheels  may 
become  loose  under  the  tire,  also  by  the  settling  of  the  spokes  in  the  hub  ; 
but  constructed  on  the  above  principle,  it  is  maintained  that  by  the  most 
ordinary  attention  the  spokes  are  kept  constantly  to  their  proper  bearing, 
and  the  felloes  firm  to  the  tire,  in  consequence  of  which  the  tire  will 
require  to  be  reset  until  worn  out,  and  the  woodwork  being  kept  firmly  in 
its  place  will  wear  much  longer. 

In  case  of  an  accident  to  a  spoke  requiring  it  to  be  replaced,,  unscrew 
the  nut  flange,  draw  the  pipe-box  from  the  nave,  remove  the  broken 
spoke,  insert  a  new  one,  then  replace  the  pipe-box,  and  screw  up  the 
hub,  and  your  wheel  is  at  once  as  firm  and  strong  as  ever.     The  ends  of 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


39 


the  spokes  do  not  require  to  be  tennoned  where  they  rest  in  the  hub,  but 
enter  with  their  whole  size,  giving  them  all  the  bearing  surface  they  can 
have,  and  adding  to  their  durability.  In  all  other  respects  the  wheel  is 
put  together  and  tired,  as  is  the  wheel  now  in  use.  Any  farm  or  planta- 
tion hand  is  fully  competent  to  keep  the  wheel  in  order ;  and  in  case  of 
the  breaking  of  a  spoke,  the  most  ordinary  skill  is  sufficient  to  repair  the 
damage,  without  resort  to  the  wheelwright. 

Among  the  advantages  claimed  for  this  wheel  is  its  great  economy  in 
use,  consisting  in  the  durability  of  the  hub,  which  will  last  for  a  genera- 
tion, the  saving  of  two  or  three  visits  to  the  wheelwright,  while  each  tire 
is  wearing  out,  and  his  bills  for  resetting  the  tire,  &c,  as  many  times,  and 
the  consequent  protection  of  the  woodwork  from  the  burning  and  the 
shrinking  of  the  tire. 

In  its  construction  the  wheel  presents  far  greater  strength  than  the  com- 
mon wheel,  besides  having  the  convenient  application  of  mechanical 
power,  as  before  set  forth,  to  keep  the  wheel  in  constant  order  for  use 
until  the  tire  is  worn  too  thin  to  be  run  any  longer  with  safety.  This 
wheel  is  applicable  to  every  description  of  vehicle,  both  light  and  heavy, 
and  will  prove  of  great  importance  in  warm  climates,  where  the  alter- 
nate wet  and  dry  seasons  are  very  destructive  to  ordinary  wheels,  the 
evils  of  which  are  without  expense  avoided  by  the  above  method. 


Fire-Proof  Iron  Chest. — (Fig.  44.) 


Every  farmer  and  planter 
who  has  money,  jewelry,  or 
other  light  valuables  to  keep, 
should  have  an  iron  chest  in 
his  house.  In  this  they  are 
safe  in  case  of  fire  ;  and  it  is 
almost  impossible  for  a  thief 
to  open  them. 

Price  $50  to  $300. 


Revolving  Hay  Rake. — (Fig.  45.) 


This  implement,  with  a 
horse,  a  man,  and  boy, 
will  rake  from  fifteen  to 
twenty-five  acres  per  day. 
It  can  be  used  to  good  ad- 
vantage even  on  quite 
rough  ground. 

Price  $7  50  to  $9  00. 


40 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 
Cranberry  Rake. — (Fig.  46.) 


An  excellent  article  for  ga- 
thering cranberries,  and  saves 
the  labor  of  half  a  dozen  per- 
sons. 


Grain  Cradle.— (Fig.  47.) 


The  annexed  is  of  the 
latest  and  most  approved 
make,  with  a  superior 
scythe. 

Price,  $3  50. 
Four  finger  ditto. 

Price,  $3  00. 


Snath  and  Scythe. — (Fig.  48.) 


Snath,  with  scythe  attached,  Price  $1  50  to  $2  00. 
Lampson  Snaths,  with  screw  nibs,  63  to  87  cts. 
Aikens',  a  superior  article,  with  screw  nibs,  75  cts.  eacjfo. 

"        plain  snaths,  50  cts. 
Barker's,         "  37  to  50  cts. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 
(Scythes,  Snaths,  and  Cradles. — Figs.  49,  50,  51,  52,  53.) 


41 


The  above  figures  represent  the  most  approved  scythes  in  the  market. 
They  are  made  of  the  best  cast  and  German  double  refined  steel,  with  a 
double  and  single  ribbed  back ;  also  plain  ditto. 

Fig:  49,  Blood's  double  refined  German  steel  double  ribbed  back  scythe. 

Price,  87  cts. 

Fig.  50,  Phillips',  Messer's,  and  Collys'  shear  steel,  single  ribbed,  heavy 
steel  back,  a  superior  article;  Price,  $1  00. 

Fig.  51,  Harris'  single  ribbed  scythe.  Price,  75  cts. 

Fig.  52,  Blood's,  and  Phillip's,  Messer's,  and  Collys'  bramble  or  bush 
scythe,  from  22  to  30  inches  in  length,  very  stout  and  heavy,  steel  back, 
with  a  thick  and  substantial  heel.  Price,  $1  00. 

Fig.  53,  Waldron's  English  scythe,  a  superior  article  for  the  cradler. 

•    Price,  #1  00. 

Alson,  Newton,  Darling,  and  Goddart  scythes. 

Cattle  Tie.— (Fig.  54.) 

Fig.  54  is  a  chain  for  tying  up  cattle  in  their 
stables.  The  large  ring  goes  over  a  stationary 
round  post  set  up  by  the  manger,  and  the  chain 
is  then  put  round  the  horns.  The  hook  at  the  end 
of  the  lower  length  of  the  chain  is  passed  through 
either  of  the  rings  in  the  upper  length,  according 
to  the  width  of  the  animal's  head  at  the  base  of 
the  horns.  It  is  often  thought  at  first  sight  that 
this  chain  wears  off  the  hair  round  the  head  of  the  animal,  but  such  is 
not  the  fact.  It  is  the  neatest  and  most  secure  fastening  that  we  know 
of,  and  at  the  same  time  the  most  comfortable ;  as  the  animal  slips  the 
chain  up  and  down  the  stationary  post,  by  the  large  ring,  as  it  wishes  to 
move  its  head  in  feeding  or  getting  up  and  lying  down  :  it  can  also  turn 
and  lick  itself  thus  fastened.     Such  a  chain  will  last  an  age. 

Price,  $4  00  to  $4  50  per  doz. 


4- 


HORTICULTURAL  A.ND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


Cylindrical  Churn. — (Fig.  55.) 


This  is  the  best  in  use,  as  it  is  simple 
in  its  construction,  and  combines  all 
the  good  qualities  of  other  cylindrical 
churns  with  this  additional  advantage, 
that  the  dasher  can  be  taken  out  in  a 
moment,  any  time  it  is  required  to  be 
cleansed.  This  is  important  after  even- 
churning,  in  order  to  keep  it  sweet 
and  from  tainting  the  cream. 

Price  5-2  00  to  S4  00. 


Whiel  and  Canal  Barrow. — (Fig.  56.) 


Of  these   we    have    several 
kinds.        Price  81  75  to  $5  00 


Bee-Hives. — (Fig.  57.) 


We  have  of  this  shape,  and  the 
square  box  with  sets  of  drawer?, 
glass  cases,  &c,  after  the  most  im- 
proved plan. 

Price  $3  00  to  $5  00. 


Sausage  Stuffer. — (Fig.  58.) 


This  will  save  the 
labor  of  eight  or  ten 
persons  in  filling  sau  - 
sages,  and  the  work 
is  done  with  great 
ease. 
Price  S4  50  to  $5  00. 


Ox  Balls — These  are  of  brass  or  composition.  They  are  screwed  on 
the  ends  of  the  horns,  and  thus  prevent  cattle  from  injuring  each  other 
by  hooking.    They  are  also  very  ornamental.    Price  per  pair  20  to  75  cts. 

Road  Scrapers. — This  is  a  very  important  implement  to  the  farmer,  for 
throwing  up  dirt  on  roads,  levelling  hdls,  filling  up  hollows,  digging  wide, 
deep  ditches,  cellars,  &c.  Price,  $4  50  to  $5  50. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 
Ox- Yokes.— (Fig.  59.) 


43 


Bog  Hoes.— (Figs.  60,  61.) 


Ox-Yoke,  with  bows  and 
ironed  complete.  Price  #2  50 
to  #5  00.  Bows  per  pair  25. 
to  75  cts. 


Post  Spoons.— (Figs.  62,  63.) 


Fig.  60,  Bog  Hoe,  price,  75  cts.  to  $1  50. 
Fig.  61,  Bog  Hoe  and  Pick  attached,  price,  $1  50  to  §2  00. 
Fig.  62,  Post  Spoon  for  digging  post  holes,  price,  $1  25. 
Fig.  63,  Round  Pointed  Shovel,  price,  $1  00  to  $1  50. 
Common  Hoes,  25  cts.  to  $1  50. 

Dutch  or  Schuffle  Hoes. — (Fig.  64.) 

From  3  to  12  inches  wide. 

Price,  37  cts.  to  $1  00. 


44  HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

Shovels  and  Spades. — (Figs.  65,  66,  67.) 


Of  these  we  have  Ames',  Car^s,  Stone's,  Addams',  and  several  others. 

Price,  75  cts.  to  SI  50. 

Pitchforks.— (Figs.  68  (1),  69  (2),  70  (3),  71  (4),  72  (5),  73  (6)."' 

Pitchforks  of  different  si- 
zes, very  strong  and  elastic. 
They  are  made  by  the  fol- 
lowing manufacturers : — 
Partridge,  Hopkins,  Clark, 
and  Harper. 

Price,  38  cts.  to  SI  00. 


Bush  Hook.— (Fig.  74.) 


This  is  useful  for  under 
brushing  forest  lands,  do- 
ing the  work  much  more 
expeditiously  than  it  can 


be  done  with  an  axe.    Price,  $1  00  without  handle,  SI  50  with  handle. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 
Partridge's  Manure  Forks.— (Figs.  75,  76.) 


45 


These  forks  are  cut  out  of  a  plate  of  cast 
steel,  and  have  from  four  to  eight  tines  each. 
It  is  a  beautiful  article  for  a  gentleman  farmer, 
using  it  with  his  own  hands.  The  tines  have 
all  the  elasticity  of  a  steel  ramrod.  They  are 
strong,  and  very  durable  if  properly  handled. 
Price,  #2  00  to  $3  00. 

Common  manure  forks,  most  of  which  are 


very  superior. 


Price,  63  cts.  to  $\  50. 


Scraper,  Trowel,  and  Hoe.— (Figs.  77,  78,  79.) 


Fig.  77,  Floor  Scraper,  Price,  50  cts. 

Fig.  78,  Transplanting  Trowel,  very  useful  for  transplanting  flowers 
and  plants.    Price,  37  cts.  to  $1  25. 
Fig.  79,  Weeding  Hoe.    Price,  25  cts.  to  $1  00. 

Frvit  Gatherer.— (Fig.  80) 

A  small  net  is  attached 
to  this  implement  into 
which  the  fruit  drops  as  it 
is  cut  from  the  tree. 

Price,  $2  50  to  $3  50. 

Fruit  Gatherer. — (Fig.  81.) 

Price,  50  to  75  cts. 


iavir  ' 


46 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


Pruning  Saw  and  Chisel. — (Fig.  82.) 


The  blade  of  the  saw  is 
about  12  inches  long,  at- 
tached to  the  blade  of  the 
chisel  at  one  end,  and  to  the  socket  of  the  chisel  handle  at  the  other  end. 
The  chisel  is  3  inches  wide  by  4  inches  long,  made  thin,  and  of  the  best 
cast  steel.  A  wooden  handle  of  convenient  length  is  inserted  in  the 
socket  handle,  enabling  a  person  to  stand  on  the  ground  and  trim  his  trees 
at  his  convenience.  Price,  $2  00. 

Lopping  or  Branch  Shears. — (Fig.  S3.) 

™  Fig.  83  is  very  strong- 
ly made,  with  long  wood 
handles,  and  is  used  for 
cutting  thick  branches 
from  trees,  shrubbery, 
hedges,  &c. 

Price,  $2  50  to  $3  00. 


Sliding  Pruning  Shears. — (Figs.  84,  85.) 


Figs.  84,  85,  with 
wood  handles,  differ 
from  the  Lopping  or 
Branch  Shears,  in  hav- 
ing a  moveable  centre 
for  the  motion  of  one 
of  the  blades,  by 
which  means,  instead 
of  a  crushing  cut,  they 
make  a  draw  -cut,  leav- 
ing the  section  of  the 
part  attached  to  the 
tree  or  shrub  smooth, 
as  if  cut  off  with  a 
knife;  they  are  also 
much  lighter  and  bet 
ter  finished  than  the 
Lopping  Shears. 
Price,  $2  00  to  $5  00. 


Pruning  Scissors  with  Bows. — (Fig.  86.) 


Fig.   86   is   adapted  to  pruning  small 
twigs,  cutting  flowers,  &c,  and  is  a  very 
useful  and  cheap  article  for  ladies'  use. 
Price,  25  cts.  to  $1  25. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


M 


Garden  or  Hedge  Shears. — (Figs.  87,  88.) 


Fig.  87  represents  this  article 
without  the  Pruning  notch.  Fig. 
88  has  the  Pruning  notch,  which 
is  of  considerable  advantage, 
when  used  for  trimming  hedges 
or  shrubbery,  as  it  enables  the 
operator  to  cut  much  stronger 
twigs  than  could  otherwise  be 
cut  by  the  shears. 

Price,  $1  25  to  #3  00. 


Grass  Edging  or  Border  Shears. — (Fig.  89.) 


Fig.  89  is  chiefly  used  for  trim- 
ming the  sides  of  box  and  grass 
edgings,  and  is  constructed  so  that 
the  operator  may  stand  upright 
whilst  using  them ;  the  one  figured 
here  has  a  wheel  attached,  which 
is  generally  considered  an  advan- 
tage. 

Price,  $2  00  to  $3  00. 


Ladies'  Garden  Shears. — (Fig.  90.) 


Fig.  90  is  small,  light,  and 
neatly  finished,  and  is  very  use- 
ful for  trimming  box  trees  and 
bushes,  as  well  as  for  many  other 
purposes. 

Price,  $1  00  to  $1  50. 


Ladies'  Pruning  Shears. — (Fig.  91.) 


Fig.  91,  with  wood  handles,  is 
handsomely  and  lightiy  made,  they 
are  very  useful  in  trimming  shrub- 
bery, &c,  which  is  too  large  to  be 
cut  by  the  Hand  Shears. 

Price,  $1  75. 


48 


HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


Averruncator — Pole  Pruning  Shears. — (Fig.  92.) 

Fig.  92  is  attached  to  a 
pole  and  operates  by  means 
of  a  lever  moved  by  a  cord 
and  pulley  :  its  use  is  to  ena- 
ble a  person,  standing  on  the 
ground,  to  prune  trees,  some 
of  the  branches  of  which 
could  not,  perhaps,  be  rea- 
dily pruned  by  any  other 
process :  branches  of  one 
inch  and  a  half  in  diameter  may  be  easily  cut  off  with  this  instrument. 
Averruncators  of  small  size  are  also  very  useful  in  cutting  off  from  shade 
and  fruit  trees  small  branches  to  which  insects  have  attached  themselves  ; 
they  are  also  used  for  gathering  fine  fruits,  which,  when  cut,  will  fall  into 
a  basket  attached  to  the  instrument  when  used  for  this  purpose. 

Price,  83  00  to  $4  50. 


Pole  Pruning  Nippers. — (Fig.  93.) 


Fig.  93  is  a  very  effective  instrument, 
and  possesses  the  advantage  of  having  a 
sliding  cut,  which  lessens  the  labor  of 
the  person  pruning,  and  leaves  the  branch 
which  has  been  cut  as  smooth  as  if  a 
knife  had  been  used  ;  this  instrument  is 
much  superior  to  the  Averruncator,  but 
will  not  cut  a  branch  of  greater  diameter 
than  one  inch. 

Price,  $6  50. 


Pruning  Scissors. — (Fig.  94.) 


Fig.  94  is  very  handsomely  made, 
with  sliding  centre  and  sprmg,  and 
is  fitted  with  sheaths;  these  scis- 
sors cut  as  smoothly  as  a  pruning 
knife,  and  for  pruning  rose  bushes, 
&c. ,  are  superior,  especially  for  ladies. 
Price,  §2  00  to  $2  50. 


Vine  Scissors. — (Fig.  95.) 


Fig.  95  is"  used  for  thinning  out 
grapes,  when  they  have  grown  too 
closely  on  the  bunch ;  also  for  re- 
moving superfluous  leaves,  twigs, 
&c.  Price,  50  to  75  cts. 


Flower  Gatherer. — (Fig.  96.) 

Fig.  96  is  a  pair  of  scissors  com- 
bining tweezers  or  pincers ;  they 
are  of  great  advantage  in  gathering 
roses  and  other  flowers  which  have 
thorny  stems,  as  the  flower  cut  by 
the  scissors,  is  held  fast  by  that  part  which  acts  as  pincers. 

Price,  62  to  87  cts 


HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 
Hand-Sliding  Pruning  Shears. — (Figs.  97,  98.) 


49 


Fig.  97  represents 
a  pair  of  the  iron 
handled  shears.  Fig. 
98  a  pair  with  cocoa 
handles ;  they  are 
similar  in  all  respects  except  the  style  of  finish,  and  for  gentlemen's  use, 
are  the  very  best  instruments  for  pruning  roses,  &c. ;  they  have  the  slid- 
ing centre  and  spring,  and  make  a  perfectly  smooth  cut. 

Price,  $1  37  to  #2  00. 

The  Grass  Edging  Knife. — (Fig.  99.) 

Fig.  99  is  fitted  to  a  straight  handle,  and  used  for  par- 
ing the  edges  of  grass  bordering  walks,  &c. ;  also  for 
cutting  the  outlines  of  sods,  which  may  then  be  readily 
raised  by  the  spade. 

Price,  $1  12  to  $1  25. 


Brier  or  Bill  Hooks. — (Fig.  100.) 

Fig.  100  is  of  various  forms,  though  the 
one  represented  here  is  the  kind  most  ap- 
proved ;  they  are  used  with  either  long  or 
short  handles,  as  circumstances  may  require, 
and  are  very  useful  for  trimming  the  sides  of 
hedges,  cutting  bush,  brambles,  &c.  Price,  75  cts  to  $1  25. 

Garden  Rakes. — (Fig.  101.) 

Fig.  101,  vary  in  the  length  and  strength  of  their  teeth, 
as  well  as  in  their  number :  they  are  used  for  covering 
seed,  raking  of  weeds  or  cut  grass,  smoothing  and  pul- 
verising surfaces,  &c. 

Price,  25  cts.  to  $1  50,' 


Garden  Trowels. — (Fig.  102.) 


Fig.  102  is  ysed  to  plant  or  take 
up  for  replanting,  herbaceous  plants, 
very  small  trees,  roots,  &c. ;  they  are 
also  used  for  stirring  the  soil  among 
tender  plants,  in  confined  situations, 
loosening  the  roots  of  weeds,  &c. 
Price,  25  cts.  to  $1  00. 


The  Grass  Lawn  Rake. — (Fig.  103.) 

Fig.  103  has  teeth  sharpened  on  both  edges  like 
lancets,  and  is  used  for  raking  the  grass  in  order  to 
tear  off  the  flower  heads  or  buds  of  daisies,  dande- 
lions, and  other  plants  in  grass  lawns. 

Price,  50  cts.  to  $1  50. 


50  HORTICULTURAL   AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

Garden  Hoes. 
Figs.  104,  105,  106, 


107, 


108, 


109. 


Fig.  104,  Square  Hoes,  cast  steel ; 
fig.  105,  Half  round  Hoe,  east  steel; 
fig.  106,  Turnip  Hoe,  cast  steel ;  fig. 

107,  Triangle  Hoe,  cast  steel;    fig. 

108,  Forked  back  Hoe,  cast  steel ;  fig. 

109,  Pronged  back  Hoe,  cast  steel. 

Price,  25  to  87  cte. 


Rice  Huller.— (Fig.  110.) 


This  machine  has  been  greatly  improved  recently,  and  will  hull  from' 
two  to  ten  bushels  per  hour,  according  to  its  size.  The  prices  also  vary 
according  to  size.  They  may  be  had  from  $80  00  to  $200  00. 

Coffee  Hcller. — The  same  machine  hulls  coffee  equally  as  well  a& 
rice.    The  sizes  and  prices  are  the  same  as  the  above. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 
Fountains. — (Fig.  111.) 


51 


These  are  made  highly  ornamental  for  the  garden  and  lawns.  The  one 
we  introduce  to  our  readers  is  of  the  composite  order,  embracing  a  great 
variety  of  figures,  each  of  which  might  be  taken  for  a  single  fountain. 
They  are  made  in  this  city  after  any  desirable  pattern,  and  cost  from  $10 
up  to  $1500. 

Raising  Water  by  Horse  Power. 

Having  a  pump  of  sufficient  capacity  for  two  horses,  the  same  quan- 
tity of  water  can  be  raised  in  half  the  time  that  one  can  do  it;  but  one 
horse  can  work  the  same  pump  as  easily  as  a  smaller  one,  if  the  stroke 
of  the  pump  be  shortened  so  as  to  bring  the  quantity  within  his  power, 
which  can  be  readily  done  by  having  the  crank  pin  so  fixed  that  it  may 
be  taken  out  and  placed  in  a  hole  prepared  for  it  nearer  the  centre,  so  as 
to  give  the  requisite  shortness  to  the  stroke. 

Horse  powers  should  be  strong,  and  every  part  of  the  work  well  made, 
as  all  unnecessary  friction  is  so  much  loss  of  power;  and  to  work  a 
pump,  they  should,  in  all  cases,  have  a  balance  wheel  to  regulate  the 
motion,  as  without  one  the  draft  is  unequal,  and  the  jerking  movement 
produces  unnecessary  wear,  both  of  horse  and  machinery — while  une- 


52 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


qual  motion,  being  more  liable  to  break  the  parts,  calls  for  more  strength 
in  them,  and  consequently  expense. 

Machines  to  work  pumps  are  generally  calculated  to  be  stationary,  and 
can  be  made  on  more  simple  plans  than  those  that  are  intended  to  be 
moveable. 


(Fig.  112.) 


Here  is  a  plan 
of  one  now  in 
use  for  raising 
water  137  feet, 
to  which  is  at- 
tached a  lift 
pump  for  draw- 
ing water  from 
wells  80  to  180 
feet  deep,  or 
from  springs  or 
rivers  at  a  short 
distance. 


Another  plan  of  a  horse  power  is  here  given,  which  may  be  preferable 
in  many  situations. 

(Fig.  113.) 


The  drawing,  however,  is  in- 
correct in  one  particular;  the 
balance  wheel,  which  is  repre- 
sented outside  of  the  frame, 
ought  to  be  between  the  posts, 
and  the  rod  to  connect  the 
pump  with  the  machine  ought 
to  be  attached  to  the  crank  on  the  upper  shaft ;  because  the  speed  of  the 
balance  wheel  on  the  shaft,  as  represented,  would  not  be  sufficient  unless 
it  was  very  large.  The  circle  for  a  horse  to  travel  in,  to  work  a  power  to 
advantage,  ought  to  be  25  feet  diameter,  and  a  horse  will  pass  around  on 
an  average  about  three  times  a  minute.  In  order  to  get  25  revolutions  to 
the  crank,  the  large  wheel  must  be  eight  times  the  diameter  of  the  small 
one,  or  8  feet  and  1  foot,  if  of  cast  iron.  But  if  made  on  the  plan  repre- 
sented in  cut,  Fig.  113,  the  large  wheel  may  be  made  of  wood  with  iron 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 


S3 


*tA^^^A£^zz^^> 


segments.     In  that  case  it  would  be  well  to  make  the  large  wheel  12  feet 
and  the  pinion  18  inches,  as  the  friction  is  less  as  the  pinion  is  larger. 

Garden  Engine. — (Fig.  114.) 

The  box  of  this  engine  will  hold 
40  gallons — with  cast  iron  wheels, 
and  handles  so  that  one  person  can 
wheel  it  j  2£  inch  double  action 
pump,  and  will  throw  water  70  feet 
horizontally  and  40  feet  high,  with 
one  person  to  work  it.  They  are 
well  calculated  for  watering  gar- 
dens, washing  windows,  destroy- 
ing worms  on  trees  or  shrubbery, 
protecting  buildings  against  fire 
from  other  buildings,  &c.  Sulphur 
put  in  water  and  thrown  on  plants, 
will  destroy  the  worms  on  them. 
This  engine  would  prove  very  useful  to  horticulturists,  and  may  be  made 
serviceable,  in  a  drouth,  for  watering  gardens,  nurseries,  &c. 

Price,  $40  00  to  $50  00. 

SOILS. 

Stiff  clays  should  always  be  kept  in  grass,  for,  owing  to  their  adhe- 
siveness, it  is  so  difficult  to  cultivate  them,  they  will  not  pay  for  doing  so 
at  the  present  prices  of  produce  and  labor ;  besides,  if  properly  taken 
care  of  and  occasionally  manured,  their  average  yield  of  grass  is  a  good 
one,  and  it  does  not  run  out  as  in  most  other  soils.  Loamy  and  sandy  soils 
should  be  kept  in  a  rotation  of  crops  :  and  the  lighter  the  soil  the  harder 
it  may  be  worked  in  this  way,  provided  it  be  well  manured  after  each 
crop  is  taken  from  it,  as  it  exhausts  itself  more  rapidly  than  a  loam,  and 
above  all,  a  clayey  soil.  The  latter  is  cold,  inert,  and  sluggish,  and  like 
an  unwieldy  animal,  cannot  be  roused  beyond  a  certain  production. 

We  are  great  advocates  for  stirring  the  ground  deep.  This  is  best  done 
with  the  subsoil  plow,  which  loosens  the  substratum  without  turning  it 
up  to  the  surface.  Subsoils  are  rarely  as  rich  as  surface  soils  ;  they  should 
therefore  be  brought  up  and  mixed  with  the  surface  soil  no  faster  than 
they  can  be  enriched  and  made  equal  to  them.  A  rich  surface  soil  may 
be  turned  up  to  any  depth.  For  example,  in  alluvial  bottoms,  when  a 
depth  of  six  inches  of  soil  has  been  cultivated  till  it  has  become  some- 
what exhausted,  by  turning  up  an  additional  inch  or  more  it  gives  fresh 
rich  earth  to  the  cultivated  surface,  and  is  equivalent  to  a  good  manuring. 
Trench  or  deep  plowing,  under  such  circumstances,  is  very  beneficial. 


THE  GARDEN. 

In  garden  culture  greater  pains  should  be  taken  than  in  field  culture, 
because  the  products  there  are  required  to  be  of  superior  quality,  and  it  is 
desired  to  make  the  most  of  the  land,  to  say  nothing  about  the  eye  being 
gratified  with  its  tidy  appearance.  It  should  be  sheltered  from  cold 
winds  ;  have  a  southern  or  eastern  aspect  if  possible,  and  a  warm  dry 
soil  for  all  early  vegetables.  Later  products  may  be  put  on  a  colder  sod. 
The  deeper  the  ground  is  stirred  and  enriched  the  better.  One  foot  is  the 
least  depth  that  a  good  gardener  will  be  satisfied  with,  and  if  he  can  turn 
up  and  enrich  the  soil  to  eighteen  inches  or  two  feet,  so  much  the  better. 
Indeed,  with  asparagus  and  some  other  products,  the  latter  depth  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  produce  a  good  crop. 


54  HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOObo. 

FIELD  AND  GARDEN   SEEDS,   WITH  BRIEF  OBSERVATIONS 
ON  THEIR  CULTURE. 

Advertisement. — In  selecting  our  seeds  we  use  the  utmost  care  we  pos- 
sibly can  to  ascertain,  1st,  that  they  be  true  of  their  kind  ;  2d,  that  they 
be  fresh  and  certain  to  generate;  3d,  that  they  be  free  from  all  foul  seed. 
We,  however,  do  not  claim  infallibility,  and  by  being  deceived  ourselves 
may  occasionally  be  the  innocent  means  of  deceiving  others.  Whenever 
such  a  case  occurs  we  beg  to  be  immediately  apprised  of  it,  and  the  party 
complaining  shall  be  ensured  prompt  redress. 

Observation. — Seeds  often  do  not  generate  in  consequence  of  the  ex- 
treme dryness  or  dampness  of  the  ground  ;  from  excessive  heat  or  cold  ; 
from  being  covered  too  deep  or  too  shallow ;  sometimes  they  are  burned 
up  by  coming  in  too  close  contact  with  hot  manures  ;  or  the  soil  may  be 
too  poor ;  or  they  may  be  eaten  up  by  underground  insects  ;  or  if  they 
escape  these,  as  soon  as  the  embryo  bursts  from  the  shell,  and  before  it 
can  appear  above  ground,  it  may  be  destroyed  by  worms  or  flies,  fre- 
quently so  minute  that  the  naked  eye  cannot  perceive  them ;  or  after 
coming  up  they  are  choked  and  destroyed  by  weeds.  All  these  causes 
should  be  inquired  into  thoroughly  before  complaint  is  made ;  for  it  is 
more  often  the  fault  of  anything  else  than  the  seed,  which  prevents  its 
germination  and  growth.  Where  there  is  any  doubt  upon  the  subject,  a 
small  quantity  of  seed  should  be  sown  in  a  flower  pot,  and  carefully 
guarded  in  a  conservatory  or  some  proper  place,  till  a  sufficient  time  has 
elapsed  to  prove  whether  it  be  good  or  bad.  Our  customers  will  do  us  a 
very  great  favor  by  particularly  attending  to  these  points. 

PRICES    OF    FIELD    SEEDS,    ETC. 

Observation. — It  must  be  remembered  that  we  give  the  retail  prices  of 
choice  selected  seeds,  and  these  vary  considerably  in  different  years,  and 
frequently  in  the  same  season.  The  prices  of  selected  seeds  are  usually 
from  50  to  400  per  cent  higher  than  the  common  kinds.  For  instance,  good 
common  oats  may  be  had  for  30  to  50  cents  per  bushel ;  the  Imperial  oats 
cost  from  $1  00  to  $1  50  per  bushel ;  and  so  of  several  other  things 
We  will  execute  orders  for  the  common  kinds  of  seeds,  &c,  at  the  lowest 
market  prices  when  desired.  We  make  these  preliminary  observations 
so  that  our  customers  may  know  how  to  order ;  and  to  avoid  the  complaint 
about  prices.  For  wholesale  prices  see  the  monthly  Price  Current  in  the 
American  Agriculturist. 


GRASSES. 

Remarks. — There  are  many  kinds  of  grasses  that  belong  to  the  clover 
family,  such  as  the  scarlet,  yellow,  cow-grass,  Bokhara,  sainfoin,  tre- 
foil, &c. ;  but  for  various  reasons,  which  we  have  not  space  to  enu- 
merate here,  they  have  not  flourished  well  in  the  United  States,  and  we 
forbear  encumbering  our  pages  with  them.  The  same  remarks  will  hold 
good  in  respect  to  rye  grass,  rib  grass,  &c,  &c.  We  have  either  tried  on 
our  own  farm,  or  seen  tried  by  our  friends,  nearly  all  European  grasses 
and  clovers,  and  the  result  is,  that  they  are  not  equal  to  those  we  men- 
tion below,  and  our  farmers,  therefore,  have  nearly  abandoned  their 
culture.  We  believe  that  some  of  the  indigenous  grasses  of  America 
may  be  profitably  cultivated,  and  we  recommend  experimenting  with 
them  in  preference  to  European  grasses  already  so  often  tried  and  found 
wanting. 

Blue  Grass  of  the  West,  or  June  Grass  of  the  Northern  States.— This 
is  deemed  invaluable  at  the  Southwest,  providing  by  its  luxuriant  growth, 


HORTICULTURAL  AND   AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.  55 

a  winter  forage  which  is  cropped  by  the  stock  on  the  ground.  It  is  a  val- 
uable pasture  grass  at  the  North,  being  hardy  and  self-propagating,  and 
with  the  white  clover  spontaneously  filling  up  every  vacant  space  of 
waste  ground  in  our  good  clay  lands.  But  as  a  meadow  grass  it  is  highly 
esteemed,  coming  to  maturity  some  weeks  before  the  timothy  or  clover, 
and  by  the  time  they  are  fit  to  cut  yielding  only  a  small  quantity  of  with- 
ered grass.  Like  the  white  clover  it  ripens  and  sheds  its  seed  so  as  to 
give  a  prolific  growth  of  fresh  plants  for  the  fall  and  spring  feed,  below 
the  latitude  of  41  °,  on  calcareous  soils.  No  grass  equals  this  and  white 
clover  for  fattening  qualities,  or  to  make  cows  produce  a  superior  quality 
and  a  large  quantity  of  butter.  When  cut  with  white  clover,  for  hay,  it 
should  be  housed  as  green  as  possible,  and  be  well  salted.  Although  it 
yields  a  comparatively  small  quantity  per  acre,  it  is  exceedingly  nutri- 
tious for  sheep. 

Blue  or  June  grass  makes  the  best  lawns;  growing  fine  and  thick,  the 
turf  is  firm  and  elastic  under  the  feet,  coupled  with  a  velvety  smoothness 
and  softness  which  no  other  grass  in  the  United  States  can  produce.  It 
should  be  sown  at  the  rate  of  5  to  10  lbs.  per  acre  in  the  autumn  or  win- 
ter at  the  South,  and  early  in  the  spring  at  the  North.  Top  dress  with 
plenty  of  lime,  plaster,  and  ashes.  Price,  25  to  35  cts.  per  lb. 

Reb  Clover. — This  is  one  of  the^most  important  crops  in  the  United 
States.  It  grows  readily  on  almost  any  soil,  from  Maine  to  Texas,  and 
under  proper  treatment  almost  anywhere  yields  profitable  returns.  By 
large  numbers  of  farmers,  especially  in  New  York,  New  Jersey,  and  Penn- 
sylvania, it  is  used  extensively  as  a  fertiliser  in  their  rotation  for  wheat, 
and  for  this  purpose  nothing  is  better  adapted.  It  also  affords  one  of  the 
most  profitable  crops  of  hay.  For  this  purpose  it  is  usually  raised  in 
connection  with  timothy,  a  practice  which  is  objectionable,  except  it  be 
wanted  as  a  fertilizer,  on  account  of  its  maturity  for  the  scythe  being 
some  time  earlier  than  this  grass.  It  does  well  sown  with  orchard  grass, 
as  the  two  ripen  about  the  same  time.  All  soils  are  suited  to  it,  if  dry 
and  fertile.  It  may  be  sown  in  the  autumn  or  winter  at  the  South ;  or  on 
open  ground,  or  new  subdued  meadows  at  the  North,  in  winter  wheat, 
or  rye,  while  the  snow  is  just  disappearing  in  the  spring,  and  while  the 
earth  is  still  thrown  up  by  the  effects  of  the  winter's  frost,  or  as  early 
thereafter  as  possible.  No  subsequent  harrowing  is  necessary.  It  may 
also  be  sown  with  oats  or  barley  after  the  latter  have  been  harrowed  in. 
It  should  be  cut  when  the  bulk  of  the  blossoms  are  turning  brown,  and 
after  lying  in  the  swarth  until  wilted,  turned  over  without  spreading, 
raked  and  cocked  the  same  day,  and  when  sufficiently  cured  in  the  cock, 
put  in  store,  with  the  addition  of  a  few  quarts  of  salt  to  every  load. 
There  are  several  kinds  of  red  clover  ;  the  large  or  northern,  the  meadow, 
and  the  dwarf.  The  two  former  are  usually  cultivated.  Clover  and  all 
other  crops  sown  upon  light  or  sandy  lands  are  greatly  improved  by  the 
use  of  the  roller.  From  8  to  16  lbs.  of  good  seed  is  required  for  an  acre, 
more  being  necessary  on  stiff  or  old  soils  than  on  new  and  lighter  ones. 

Price,  9  to  13  cts.  per  lb. 

White  Clover. — This  is  a  valuable  herbage  for  pastures,  but  does  not 
grow  to  a  sufficient  size  for  profitable  hay,  except  for  sheep  stock.  Clays 
and  calcareous  soils  are  best  adapted  to  it,  and  on  these,  if  in  good  con- 
dition, it  grows  spontaneously  in  great  abundance.  Plaster,  with  a  rea- 
sonable degree  of  fertility,  will  always  insure  a  luxuriant  growth  of  the 
clovers,  often  bringing  them  into  existence  where  their  presence  had 
scarcely  before  been  noticed.     Sow  from  4  to  8  lbs  per  acre. 

Price,  35  to  50  cts.  per  lb. 

Lucerne. — This  is  cultivated  to  considerable  extent  in  the  neighborhood 
of  our  cities.     It  requires  a  very  deep,  rich  loam,  as  it  sends  down  its 


56      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

long  tap  roots  to  a  depth  of  2  to  5  feet.  It  must  be  kept  clear  of  weeds 
the  first  year,  after  which  it  completely  covers  the  ground.  It  may  be  cut 
several  times  in  the  course  of  the  season,  and  yields  a  large  quantity  of 
fodder,  somewhat  inferior  in  its  nutritive  qualities  to  the  red  clover.  Plas- 
ter, or  bones  in  considerable  quantities,  ground  and  scattered  broadcast, 
and  other  manures,  are  essential  to  its  continued  productiveness  on  the 
same  land.  It  requires  ten  to  fifteen  lbs.  of  seed  to  the  acre,  broadcast, 
or  in  drills  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  lbs. 

Price,  20  to  35  cts.  per  lb. 

Tall  Oat  Grass. — This  is  one  of  the  best  grasses  for  early  soiling.  It 
grows  rapidly  and  produces  a  constant  succession  of  luxuriant  fodder, 
whether  cut  or  fed  on  the  ground.  A  stiff  clay,  as  well  as  other  soils,  is 
suited  to  it.  It  should  be  sown  in  the  spring,  either  by  itself  or  on  win- 
ter or  spring  gram.  It  should  be  fed  green,  as  it  is  too  coarse  and  dry 
when  cured  to  make  good  hay.     Sow  from  12  to  16  quarts  per  acre. 

Price,  $3  50  to  $4  50  per  bushel. 

Orchard  Grass  of  the  United  States,  Rough  Cocks-foot  of  England. — 
It  comes  forward  earlier  than  any  other  grass  in  the  spring,  and  produces 
most  abundant  crops  in  quick  succession,  yielding  several  large  cuttings 
of  excellent  hay  in  one  season,  and  furnishing  a  great  quantity  of  nutri- 
tive pasturage.  It  requires  a  dry  and  good  soil,  and  should  be  cut  before 
it  ripens,  or  closely  fed,  to  secure  its  full  value.  Sow  at  the  rate  of  one 
and  a  half  to  two  bushels  per  acre,  for  if  the  seed  is  not  sown  thick  it  will 
come  up  in  tufts.  It  is  more  important  that  this  grass  covers  the  land  well 
than  any  other  that  we  know  of.  Price,  $1  25  to  $1  75  per  bushel. 

Red  Top. — This  is  also  called  Herd's  Grass  in  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States.  It  is  a  valuable  grass  for  very  moist  soils,  yielding  a  large  return 
of  good  hay.  It  is  cultivated  similarly  to  the  Timothy.  It  makes  a  thicker 
and  superior  pasture  to  Timothy,  and  forms  a  pretty  good  turf  for  a 
lawn.     Sow  from  12  to  16  quarts  of  seed  per  acre. 

Price,  $1  25  to  $1  75  per  bushel. 

Rye  &  Wheat. — These  are  extensively  cultivated  for  late  and  early 
grass  pastures.  They  are  preferable,  on  the  whole,  to  the  Italian  or  any 
other  rye-grass  we  know.  They  should  be  sown  distinct,  the  same  as  for 
a  grain  crop.  The  earlier  this  is  done  in  August  the  better,  when  de- 
signed for  pasture. 

Timothy,  Herd's  Grass,  Foxtail,  Meadow  Cat's  Tail. — By  all  these 
names  this  grass  is  known.  It  is  the  king  of  grasses  for  hay  in  the 
northern  parts  of  the  United  States  and  the  Canadas.  Good  clays  or 
loamy  lands  are  best  suited  for  it.  Unless  sowed  late  in  the  season  it 
will  not  require  harrowing,  the  rains  planting  it  with  sufficient  depth 
where  the  surface  is  light  or  well  mellowed  with  the  harrow.  It  should 
be  suffered  to  remain  till  the  seed  is  rather  past  the  milk,  and  getting  into 
the  dough,  when  it  may  be  cut,  and  in  this  state  much  of  the  seed  will 
germinate.  Enough  of  the  seed  is  thus  scattered  upon  the  ground  to  re- 
new and  keep  the  permanent  meadows  in  high  condition  as  to  produc- 
tiveness. It  is  suited  either  to  a  moist  or  dry  soil.  If  sown  with  clover, 
at  the  proper  season,  8  quarts  of  seed,  with  6  to  10  lbs.  of  clover,  on  a 
well  pulverised  surface,  will  give  a  good  coating  of  grass  ;  but  on  a  stiffer 
soil,  or  when  an  immediate  thick  growth  is  desired  to  keep  all  weeds 
down,  this  quantity  of  seed  may  be  increased  to  nearly  double  without 
being  considered  as  Avasted  on  the  land.  Timothy  yields  little  or  no  af- 
ter-math, and  makes  rather  a  poor,  thin  pasture.  It  may  be  sown  in 
August  or  September,  or  early  in  the  spring,  at  the  rate  of  12  to  16  quarts 
per  acre.  Price,  $2  25  to  $4  00  per  bushel. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.  57 

GRAIN. 

Barley.— Grows  well  on  a  light,  rich  soil,  but  is  probably  more  tena- 
cious of  a  fertile  clay.  Both  wheat  and  barley  affect  a  clayey  loam,  and 
contrary  to  the  prevalent  opinion  in  this  country,  we  must  believe  with 
antiquity,  "  Dame  Ceres  joys  in  heavy  ground,  and  Bacchus  in  the  light." 
But  the  ground  for  barley  should  be  well  pulverised,  and  be  naturally 
rich,  or  made  so  from  former  years'  cultivation.  No  manure  should  be 
added  to  the  crop  itself,  unless  it  be  a  light  top  dressing  of  liquid  or  solid 
manure  after  it  is  fairly  up  and  on  its  way.  The  sowing  should  be  done 
as  soon  as  the  ground  can  be  worked  advantageously  in  the  spring,  at 
the  rate  of  li  to  2i  bushels  per  acre.  Poor  ground,  heavy  clays,  and  late 
sowing  require  the  heaviest  seeding.  A  previous  soaking  in  a  strong  so- 
lution of  saltpetre  materially  helps  forward  the  growth.  The  four  or  six 
rowed  is  the  best  kind.  Price,  75  cts.  to  $1  50  per  bushel. 

Buckwheat.— This  crop  is  generally  cultivated  on  light  land.  It  may 
be  sown  after  the  middle  of  May.  Some  sow  it  as  late  as  August  with 
wheat,  and  find  that  it  will  frequently  mature  and  yield  a  good  crop 
without  injury  to  the  wheat.  It  is  a  valuable  crop  for  family  use,  farm 
stock,  and  poultry.  It  has  heretofore  been  used  to  some  extent  as  a  fer- 
tiliser, being  plowed  in  green,  but  the  superior  quality  of  clover  for  this 
purpose  has  superseded  it  entirely  of  late  years.  It  is  sown  either  broad 
cast  or  in  drills,  at  the  rate  of  1  bushel  per  acre  in  the  former,  and  2  or  3 
pecks  if  in  the  latter  case.  Price,  50  cts.  to  $1  00  per  bushel. 

Millet.— This  requires  a  dry,  light  soil ;  but  a  heavy  crop  can  only  be 
realized  on  a  rich  one.  It  is  sown  from  1st  May  to  20th  June  to  ripen 
the  seed  ;  but  a  good  crop  of  hay  may  be  secured  by  sowing  as  late  as 
the  last  of  July.  It  may  be  sown  in  drills  or  broadcast.  Owing  to  its  ri- 
pening unequally,  and  the  consequent  loss  of  harvesting,  injury  by  birds, 
&c,  it  is  not  often  raised  for  grain,  but  is  usually  cut  while  the  seed  first 
begins  to  ripen.  It  will  produce  from  U  to  4  tons  fodder  per  acre,  equal 
in  value  to  grass,  and  from  20  to  60  bushels  of  grain,  equal  to  corn  for 
many  kinds  of  feeding.  Sow  from  12  to  24  quarts  per  acre.  When  the 
ground  is  in  proper  condition,  and  the  season  favorable,  the  former  quan- 
tity in  drills  and  16  quarts  broadcast  will  insure  a  full  crop. 

Price,  $1  00  to  $1  50  per  bushel. 

Oats.— These  do  best  on  a  very  strong  soil,  and  clayey  loams  are  well 
adapted  to  them  If  plowed  in  the  fall  they  may  be  sown  on  the  field 
without  further  stirring  the  land,  as  early  as  the  ground  will  admit  of  har- 
rowing. They  should,  like  all  other  grain,  be  cut  as  soon  as  the  lower 
part  of  the  stalk  turns  yellow.  This  secures  the  attachment  of  the  grain 
to  the  head  without  wasting,  till  harvested,  and  gives  a  better  quality  of 
fodder  for  the  stock.  The  common  white  oat  is  better  than  the  black, 
though  this  last  is  extensively  cultivated.  If  cut  in  a  green  state,  the  ber- 
ry in  the  milk,  the  straw  and  grain  make  a  fodder  for  horses  equal  to  the 
best  Timothy  and  clover  hay.  Scotch  Potato  and  the  Imperial  oats  are 
considered  the  best.     Sow  from  2  to  4  bushels  per  acre. 

Price,  $1  00  to  $1  50  per  bushel. 

Rye. This  grain  is  never  advantageously  raised  unless  upon  dry,  light 

soils.  These  may  be  rich  or  poor,  a  crawling  sand  or  once  floating  bog, 
if  the  former  is  somewhat  compacted  by  ashes  or  saline  or  putrescent 
manures,  or  by  the  accumulation  of  vegetable  matter,  and  the  latter  has 
been  thoroughly  drained  and  received  a  coating  of  sand  or  loam.  It 
should  be  sown  from  the  middle  of  August  to  the  middle  of  September. 
Rye  is  useful  for  soiling,  or  feeding  off  on  the  ground  ;  and  when  the  sod 
is  good  it  may  be  thus  fed  in  the  fall  and  again  in  the  spring,  and  after- 


58  HORTICULTURAL  AND  AuKitOLTUKAL  TOOLS. 

wards  allowed  to  ripen,  when  it  will  often  produce  a  good  crop  of  grain. 
It  is  sometimes  sown  between  the  corn  hills  in  August,  and  by  harrowing 
between  the  rows  each  way,  it  may  be  got  into  quite  a  state  of  forward- 
ness by  the  time  the  corn  is  taken  off  the  ground ;  or  the  corn  may  be 
cut  up  by  the  root  and  shocked  on  the  field,  and  allow  the  rye  to  occupy 
the  whole  space.     Sow  from  5  to  6  pecks  per  acre. 

Price,  75  cts.  to  $1  00  per  bushel. 

Multicole  Rye.— Considerable  has  been  said  of  this  lately  introduced 
grain,  but  we  have  few  facts  to  relate  concerning  it.  We  doubt  whether 
it  will  supersede  our  common  rye  for  pasture  or  soiling,  and  it  is  not  near 
equal  to  it  as  a  grain. 

Wheat. — This  is  sown  from  the  15th  of  August  to  the  10th  of  Novem- 
ber ;  but  the  most  suitable  time  in  a  northern  latitude  is  from  the  5th  to  the 
20th  of  September.  If  sown  earlier  it  is  liable  to  attack  from  the  fly;  if 
later  it  does  not  tiller  so  well,  and  is  more  liable  to  winter-kill.  Wheat, 
and  indeed  all  small  grains,  yield  best  when  cultivated  in  drills  from  6  to 
18  inches  apart.  Large  crops  have  been  raised  sown  in  drills  3  feet 
apart.  It  is  not  near  so  liable  to  rust  or  mildew  when  sown  in  drills,  as 
the  air  circulates  more  freely  among  it,  giving  a  waving  motion  to  the 
stalks,  which  is  pretty  certain  to  prevent  mildew  and  rust.  These  disea- 
ses usually  attack  the  wheat  in  calm  weather,  when  the  sun  comes  out. 
hot  after  a  rain.  The  grain  should  be  cut  when  the  stock  first  changes 
color  near  the  ground.  The  berry  is  then  in  its  dough  state  ;  but  if  cut 
then  it  will  be  found  to  be  heavier,  plumper,  and  yield  more  flour  of  a  bet- 
ter quality  than  if  permitted  to  stand  longer,  while  the  straw  is  more  val- 
uable for  feedmg.  Wheat  intended  for  seed  should  be  allowed  to  stand 
till  it  fully  ripens.  A  clover  ley  previously  limed  or  plastered,  is  the  best 
preparation  to  turn  under  for  wheat.  Calcareous  soils,  that  is,  such  as  have 
lime  in  them,  are  the  most  suitable  for  this  grain  ;  and  where  these  do 
not  exist  naturally,  lime,  ashes,  charcoal,  and  plaster,  in  suitable  quanti- 
ties, must  be  added.  Before  sowing,  the  wheat  should  be  thoroughly 
cleansed,  and  every  particle  of  foreign  seed  removed.  Then  wash  it  three 
successive  times  in  the  strongest  brine,  mix  with  a  coating  of  slaked  lime, 
and  spread  out  to  dry.  If  spread  out  in  the  sun  it  will  dry  in  two  or  three 
hours,  if  in  the  shade  it  will  require  longer.  This  preparation  secures  the 
crop  against  smut,  and  promotes  the  growth.  The  quantity  of  seed  found 
most  judicious  as  a  general  rule  for  sowing,  is  5  to  6  pecks  per  acre ;  on 
the  heaviest  clay  soil  two  bushels  per  acre  is  none  too  much,  the  same 
causes  requiring  variation  as  in  barley  and  other  grain.  Some  kinds  of 
seed  tiller  better  than  others,  which  of  course  should  vary  the  quantity 
sown.  Some  pertinaciously  adhere  to  sowing  the  largest,  plumpest  ber- 
ry, when  it  has  been  found  that  a  medium  size,  or  even  shrunken  berry, 
of  a  choice  kind,  will  give  quite  as  good  a  crop.  The  best  kind  of  wheat 
is  the  Improved  White  Flint.  Price,  $2  00  to  $-2  25  per  bushel. 

Other  kinds  may  be  had  for  $1  00  to  §1  50  per  bushel. 

Spring  Wheat. — This  does  best  on  land  which  has  been  plowed  in  the 
autumn,  and  should  be  sown  immediately  after  the  frost  has  left  the 
ground  in  the  spring,  while  it  is  still  rough  and  uneven  from  its  effects. 
The  seed  will  fall  into  the  little  depressions  thus  formed,  and  as  soon  as 
the  harrow  can  be  put  on  it  may  be  dragged  in.  It  should  be  brined  and 
limed  before  sowing,  the  same  as  winter  wheat.  The  best  varieties  are 
the  Italian  and  the  Siberian ;  but  in  consequence  of  these  having  been 
more  subject  latterly  to  the  ravages  of  the  fly,  they  have  given  place  to 
the  Black  Sea  wheat.  Sow  5  to  6  pecks  per  acre  ;  on  a  stiff  clay  soil  2 
bushels  per  acre.  Price,  $1  25  to  $2  00  per  bushel. 


HORTICULTURAL   AND   AGRICULTURAL   TOOLS.  5» 

GARDEN   AND   FIELD   SEEDS. 

Artichoke  (for  the  Garden). — The  Large  Globe  is  the  best  variety.  It  is 
propagated  either  from  seeds  or  offsets.  It  requires  a  rich  soil  and  a  good 
deal  of  room.  Plant  the  seed  early  in  the  spring,  three  or  four  inches 
apart,  in  rows  from  1  to  1  i  feet  apart.  The  next  year  transplant  the  roots 
or  offsets  to  beds  highly  manured,  placing  3  or  4  roots  in  a  circle  of  6 
inches,  and  these  circles  three  or  four  feet  apart.  Protect  during  the  win- 
ter by  raising  over  them  a  mound  of  litter  or  light  dry  earth. 

Artichoke,  Jerusalem  (for  the  field). — This  root  is  cultivated  precisely 
like  the  potato,  in  hills  or  drills.  At  the  South  and  West  it  is  fed  off  by 
turning  swine  on  to  the  fields,  who  root  them  up  and  consume  them  at 
pleasure.  A  winter's  supply  of  food  is  thus  easily  provided  for  their  hogs, 
and  the  crop  fed  off  the  land  greatly  enriches  it.  The  artichoke  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  best  of  fertilizers,  as  it  derives  a  large  amount  of  its 
carbon  and  nitrogen  from  the  atmosphere.  It.  should  be  cultivated  exten- 
sively in  well  grown  orchards.  After  the  fruit  is  gathered  turn  the  swine 
on  to  feed  them  off.  Their  rooting  them  up  is  nearly  as  beneficial  as 
plowing  ;  they  destroy,  at  the  same  time,  nearly  all  the  insects  harboring 
round  the  trees,  and  the  manure  they  leave  is  equivalent  to  a  good  top 
dressing.  Frost  does  not  injure  them,  and  they  will  propagate  themselves. 
They  grow  well  on  the  poorest  land.       Price,  $1  00  to  $2  00  per  bushel. 

Asparagus. — There  are,  it  is  said,  several  varieties  of  asparagus,  but 
the  difference  mainly  arises  from  the  nature  of  the  soil.  On  strong  loamy 
land  the  growth  is  more  robust,  and  the  shoots  more  tender  than  on  sandy 
soil.  Early  in  the  spring  soak  the  seed  in  warm  water  for  24  hours,  then 
drill  it  thinly,  in  rows  sufficiently  wide  apart  to  admit  the  hoe — when  two 
years  old  they  may  be  transplanted  into  permanent  beds,  which  should 
be  so  situated  as  to  cast  off  an  excess  of  moisture.  A  convenient  width 
for  the  beds  is  four  feet ;  the  plants  placed  twelve  inches  apart  in  each 
direction  ;  they  should  be  planted  at  least  four  inches  beneath  the  sur- 
face, well  manured  at  the  time,  and  annually  thereafter.  Salt  spread 
broadcast  over  the  beds  at  the  rate  of  1  to  3  lbs.  per  square  yard,  after 
forking  them  over  early  in  the  spring,  adds  to  the  growth  of  the  plant, 
and  makes  it  much  sweeter  and  more  delicate  to  the  taste.  A  compost 
of  guano  and  charcoal  is  also  an  excellent  top  dressing. 

Beans. — These  may  be  planted  in  hills  or  drills.  The  former  is  some- 
what more  convenient  for  the  field,  as  it  admits  of  easier  culture  with 
light  plows  or  cultivators.  When  land  is  in  good  condition,  it  is  better  to 
place  the  hills  so  near  to  each  other,  that  only  a  first  or  second  plowing 
can  be  performed  before  the  spreading  of  the  vines  will  prevent  any  other 
cultivation  than  with  the  hoe.  They  should  never  be  hoed  when  they 
are  wet  or  dew  is  on  them,  as  it  makes  them  liable  to  rust.  The  best  beans 
as  bearers,  as  well  as  for  nutriment  and  actual  value,  are  the  garden 
beans  ;  and  among  these  there  are  none  better  than  the  long  white  kid- 
ney. They  are  early  ripe,  sure  and  prolific  bearers.  Any  good  soil  is 
suited  to  them,  but  it  must  be  a  dry  one.  They  may  be  planted  as  soon 
as  all  danger  from  frost  is  removed,  and  early  planting  generally  gives  the 
greatest  yields.  They  are  often  planted  among  com  in  New  England  at 
the  second  time  of  hoeing ;  but  this  is  a  practice  we  cannot  recommend. 

Price,  $1  00  to  $4  00  per  bushel. 

Beets. — All  roots  require  a  deep,  rich,  mellow,  and  sufficiently  dry  soil. 
It  should  be  worked  at  a  time  that  will  insure  its  being  left  finely  pulver- 
ised. The  use  of  long  or  unfermented  manure  is  not  objectionable  if  it 
can  be  laid  sufficiently  deep  in  the  furrow  to  be  out  of  the  way  of  subse- 
quent tillage.     The  great  supply  of  the  nutritious  gases  afforded  to  the 


60      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

growing  crop  while  it  is  undergoing  decomposition,  renders  it  a  valuable 
manure.  For  field  culture  throw  the  land  into  beds  about  a  rod  wide, 
just  before  sowing.  Pour  boiling  water  on  the  seed  and  let  it  stand  af- 
terwards at  blood  heat  for  two  or  three  days  at  least,  when  it  will  be  fit 
for  sowing.  Mix  plaster,  ashes,  or  fine  dirt,  with  the  seed  before  sowing, 
then  plant  with  a  seed  sower,  or  sow  by  hand,  putting  two  seeds  in  a 
place,  three  to  four  inches  apart,  in  drills  two  and  a  half  or  three  feet 
apart,  and  about  one  inch  deep,  and  set  the  earth  compactly  over  them. 
After  the  young  plants  make  their  appearance,  stir  the  earth  frequently 
with  the  horse  plow  or  cultivator,  and  keep  the  weeds  well  cleaned  out. 
But  one  plant  should  be  left  to  grow  by  itself,  and  if  any  are  deficient 
their  places  may  be  supplied  by  transplanting  hi  a  moist  or  wet  day. 
They  should  be  harvested  before  severe  frosts  set  in,  the  tops  trimmed 
off  and  laid  in  pits  or  in  a  coal  cellar.  The  best  kind  for  stock  feeding 
is  the  sugar  beet,  and  it  produces  as  large  a  crop  as  the  mangold  wurtzel. 
Four  pounds  of  good  seed  is  enough  for  an  acre.  The  long  blood  red, 
and  orange  turnip-root  beets,  are  the  best  for  the  garden,  where  they  may 
be  sown  in  drills  one  foot  apart.  Price,  75  cts.  to  $1  00  per  lb. 

Borecole. — Under  this  head  we  have  the  dwarf  kale,  which  is  an  ex- 
cellent green  for  winter  and  spring  use  ;  being  dwarf  it  is  easily  preserved 
during  severe  weather ;  and  Scotch  kale,  which  is  sown  in  May  and  trans- 
planted and  treated  as  winter  cabbage. 

Broccoli. — This  produces  heads  like  cauliflower  in  autumn.  The  large 
purple  cape  appears  to  be  the  best  adapted  to  our  climate.  Sow  in  seed- 
beds middle  of  spring,  transplant  into  very  rich  ground  when  eight  or 
twelve  inches  high,  and  manage  generally  as  is  usual  with  winter  cabbage. 

Brussels'  Sprouts. — Are  cultivated  for  the  small  heads  which  spring  in 
considerable  numbers  from  the  main  stem.  Much  esteemed  in  some  parts 
of  Europe,  but  here  it  has  attracted  but  little  attention.  Sow  in  seed-bed 
middle  of  spring,  and  transplant  and  manage  as  with  winter  cabbage. 

Cabbage. — For  the  garden  sow  the  early  sorts  in  a  hot-bed,  and  trans- 
plant from  two  to  three  feet  apart  in  a  wet  or  cloudy  day,  as  soon  as  the 
weather  will  permit,  on  well  manured  or  rich  land.  For  field  culture 
sow  the  later  and  larger  kinds  of  seed  in  beds  as  soon  as  it  will  do,  out 
of  doors,  and  transplant  about  the  first  of  June  somewThat  farther  apart 
than  in  the  garden,  so  as  to  admit  the  cultivator  running  between  the 
rows. 

Carrots. — These  should  be  sown  in  soil  similar  to  the  beet,  except  that 
it  requires  to  be  somewhat  lighter  and  looser  than  is  essential  to  the  beet. 
Soak  the  seed  in  warm  water  for  a  day  or  two,  and  then  thoroughly  mix 
it  with  plaster,  ashes,  or  dirt,  to  break  the  little  adhesive  fibres,  and  allow 
of  sowing  early.  The  drills  may  be  two  to  two  and  a  half  feet  apart,  and 
the  plants  allowed  to  stand  about  six  or  eight  inches  apart  in  the  drill,  if 
of  the  largest  kinds,  or  if  of  the  smaller  they  may  stand  nearer.  Sow  in 
rows  one  foot  apart  for  the  garden.  Frequent  hoeing  or  stirring  the 
ground,  and  thorough  weeding,  are  all  that  are  essential  subsequently. 
The  white  or  Belgian  carrot  is  the  greatest  producer  at  the  least  expense 
of  soil,  as  it  draws  largely  from  the  atmosphere  for  its  support,  and  grow- 
ing high  out  of  the  ground  is  easily  harvested.  It  is  not,  however,  as 
nutricious  for  stock,  pound  for  pound,  as  the  other  kinds.  The  long 
orange  or  red  is  a  choice  kind  for  the  field.  About  2  lbs.  of  seed  is  re- 
quired per  acre.  Price,  75  cts.  to  $1  00  per  lb. 

Cauliflower. — Sow  the  early  sort  in  hot-beds,  and  transplant  into  rich 
soil.   The  late  sort  to  be  treated  like  the  cape  broccoli,  which  it  resembles. 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.      61 

Celery.— Sow  in  hot-beds,  and  transplant  into  a  rich,  moist  place.  This 
vegetable  is  a  favorite  salad. 

Chervil.—  Is  used  as  a  salad.     Sow  in  narrow  drills  in  May. 

Corn  Salad  or  Vettikost.— Used  as  a  small  salad  throughout  the  win- 
ter and  spring.  Sow  thickly  in  drills  first  of  autumn,  and  sprinkle  with 
straw  on  the  first  approach  of  severe  weather. 

Indian  Corn.— This  should  be  planted  for  ripening  as  soon  as  the 
spring  frosts  are  out.  The  soil  must  be  light,  dry,  and  rich,  to  produce 
a  good  crop.  It  is  always  best  to  soak  the  seed  before  planting,  in  a 
strong  solution  of  saltpetre.  This  gives  an  early,  vigorous  growth,  and  it 
crows  and  other  foragers  incline  to  depredate  on  the  fields,  this  will  give 
them  so  rank  a  condiment  that  they  will  hardly  go  beyond  the  first  crop 
full.  An  absurd  principle  is  adopted  by  some  larmers  to  set  up  scare- 
crows, or  kill  off  the  birds  visiting  the  fields.  Even  if  they  take  some  oi 
the  seed  they  will  probably  more  than  make  up  for  it  by  the  quantity  oi 
worms  and  bugs  they  will  also  destroy.  But  by  soaking  in  saltpetre,  or 
pouring  into  a  barrel,  containing  a  bushel  or  so  of  seed,  a  quart  or  more 
of  very  hot  tar,  stirring  the  whole  mass  rapidly,  every  kernel  will  have 
become  coated,  and  the  plunderers  after  picking  up  a  few  and  finding 
them  all  of  one  pattern,  will  gladly  give  up  the  pillage  and  betake  them- 
selves to  an  extermination  of  their  rival  enemies  to  the  corn,  the  worms, 
buss,  and  beetles.  Corn  should  be  planted  on  well  plowed  ground,  in 
hilfs,  with  three  to  six  stalks  in  a  hill,  according  to  the  kind  of  seed  used ; 
three  to  four  feet  apart  each  way,  so  as  to  admit  of  weeding  and  stirring 
the  earth  both  ways  with  the  plow  or  cultivator.  For  light  land,  even 
cultivation  (not  hilling)  is  best.  The  tops  of  the  corn  should  never  be 
cut  off  till  the  corn  is  newly  ripened ;  but  instead  of  the  top  the  whole  stalk 
close  to  the  ground  should  be  cut  as  soon  as  the  grain  is  thoroughly 
glazed  and  well  into  the  dough  state.  It  will,  if  shocked  up  in  the  fie  d 
in  this  state,  fully  mature  the  grain  and  yield  good  fodder  from  the  stalk. 
The  Dutton,  or  many  other  kinds  of  eight  rowed,  large  eared,  and  early 
maturing  corn,  is  the  best  for  the  north-eastern  States :  while  the  choicest 
varieties  of  the  gourd  seed  are  the  best  and  most  productive  for  the  warmer 
climate  of  the  South  and  West.  Sugar  or  sweet  corn  is  the  best  lor  cul- 
tivating in  the  garden  for  table  use.  Sowing  corn  for  soiling  or  fodder 
has  been  adopted  of  late  years.  This  is  best  done  by  sowing  in  drills, 
sav  eighteen  inches  to  two  feet  apart,  and  quite  thick  in  the  rows,  or 
broadcast  at  the  rate  of  three  to  four  and  a  half  bushels  per  acre.  Ine 
best  kind  for  soiling  is  the  sweet  corn,  as  its  stalks  are  the  sweetest,  most 
iuicv,  and  tender.  Where  it  has  taken  well,  and  the  season  has  proved 
favorable,  an  enormous  quantity  of  fodder  is  thus  raised.  Every  farmer 
ought  to  sow  at  least  one  acre  to  every  five  head  of  cattle  he  may  design 
to  winter.  This  will  ensure  him  against  a  drought  and  the  loss  ot  his 
hay  crop.  Price.  50  cts-  to  *2  00  Per  busheL 

Broom  Corn.— Should  be  planted  on  land  similar  to  the  preceding,  and 
somewhat  later,  as  a  spring  frost,  which  could  be  resisted  by  the  greater 
vitality  of  Indian  corn,  might  effectually  destroy  this  more  unresis :ing 
plant  The  rows  should  be  abo*it  three  feet  apart,  and  tie  lulls  about  two 
feet  distant  from  each  other  ;  15  to  20  good  seeds  shou  d  be  planted  in  a 
hill,  so  as  to  ensure  8  or  10  good  plants,  to  which  number  they  should  be 
thinned  on  a  second  weeding.  Early  and  frequent  stirring  of  the  ground 
Is  essential.  Price,  50  cts.  to  $1  00  per  bushel. 

Curled  Cress,  or  Pepper  Grass.— Used  as  a  small  salad.  Sow  very 
thickly  in  shallow  drills,  at  short  intervals  throughout  the  season. 


62      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

Cucumbers. — To  obtain  them  early,  plant  the  seed  in  a  hot-bed,  or  in 
■elevated  hills,  well  manured  with  rotten  horse-dung,  and  covered  Avith 
glazed  frames.  But  in  order  to  grow  fair,  handsome  cucumbers,  the  soil 
should  be  rich,  light,  and  warm,  and  well  mixed  with  manure ;  or  a  good 
■shovel  full  or  more  may  be  put  into  each  hill,  and  thoroughly  mixed  with 
the  soil  in  the  hill.  Plant  in  hills  about  four  feet  apart  each'way,  elevat- 
ing the  hills  a  little  above  the  level  of  the  ground.  Put  in  eight  or  ten 
seeds  into  each  hill,  and  cover  them  half  an  inch  deep  with  fine  dirt,  and, 
as  iu  all  other  planting,  press  the  earth  a  little  over  the  seeds  with  the 
back  of  the  hoe.  When  the  plants  are  up  examine  them  closely,  as  they 
are  frequently  attacked  by  the  yellow  bug  or  fly.  To  prevent  this,  take 
soot  or  rye  flower,  sifted  ashes,  and  ground  plaster,  equal  parts  of  each, 
well  mixed  together,  and  dust  the  plants  all  over  with  it.  If  the  plants 
are  dry,  sprinkle  them  with  water  before  you  dust  them.  Keep  the  ground 
loose  and  clear  of  weeds,  and  in  dry  weather  water  vour  plants  freely. 
After  they  have  attained  a  vigorous  growth,  and  the  danger  from  insects 
is  over,  they  may  be  thinned  out,  leaving  two  or  three  of  the  most  thrifty 
in  a  hill.  Those  intended  for  pickling  may  be  planted  later.  The  culti- 
vation and  management  of  these  is  the  same  as  the  others,  excepting  that 
the  hills  should  be  at  least  five  feet  apart  each  way.  Some  gardeners  re- 
commend nipping  off  the  first  runner  bud  of  cucumbers  and  melons,  from 
an  idea  that  they  will  become  more  stocky  and  fruitful. 

Egg  Plant. — Sow  in  hot-bed  or  other  protected  place  very  early  in  the 
spring,  and  late  in  spring  transplant  into  very  rich  ground,  two  to  three 
feet  apart.  The  seed  does  not  vegetate  freely — repeated  sowings  are 
sometimes  necessary. 

Endive.— Sow  from  May  to  July  in  shallow  drills  ;  thin  out  the  plants 
to  stand  eight  to  ten  inches  apart ;  tie  up  to  blanch  as  needed. 

Kale. — Plant  in  hilis  two  feet  apart.  It  is  forced  into  growth  in  the 
spring,  blanched  and  used  as  asparagus. 

Leek. — This  is  a  wholesome  and  useful  herb,  and  is  so  hardy  as  to  en- 
dure the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  without  injury.  Sow  early  in  drills 
eighteen  inches  apart,  and  thin  the  plants  so  that  they  may  be  six  inches 
apart.    The  stalks  of  the  plant  are  much  used  in  soup. 

Lettuce. — This  requires  a  mellow  soil.  It  should  be  sown  as  early  in 
the  spriug  as  possible.  To  insure  a  very  early  supply  it  may  be  sown  late 
in  the  fall — it  will  then  start  early  in  the  spring  ;  but  to  obtain  a  constant 
and  regular  supply  through  the  season,  it  should  be  sown  every  month 
from  March  to  September.  It  may  be  sown  broadcast,  moderately  thin, 
or  in  rows  from  twelvemo  eighteen  inches  distant,  according  to  the  usual 
size  of  the  different  kinds.  Rake  in  the  seed  lightly  with  a  fine  tooth  gar- 
den rake.  When  the  plants  are  up  stir  the  ground  lightly  when  it  is  dry, 
and  clear  out  the  weeds  :  thin  the  plants  where  they  crowd  each  other. 
Those  intended  for  large  heads  should  stand  eight  or  ten  inches  apart; 
the  hardy  kinds,  such  as  the  large  green  head,  ice  cross,  and  brown  Dutch, 
may  be  sown  in  September,  and  covered  with  straw  at  the  approach  of 
severe  winter.  Any  kind  may  be  sown  in  hot-bed  in  March,  and  trans- 
planted in  the  open  ground  at  the  proper  season. 

Melons. — Treat  the  same  as  cucumbers,  except  planting  wider  apart, 
say  six  to  seven  feet. 

Mustard. — The  white  and  broad  leaf  kinds  are  excellent  for  salad  or 
greens.  They  should  be  sown  very  early  in  the  spring,  in  a  rich,  warm 
soil,  in  shallow  drills,  ten  inches  apart,  and  kept  clear  from  weeds.   After 


HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS.      63 

the  crop  is  off,  the  ground  may  be  planted  for  cucumbers  for  pickling,  or 
used  for  a  succession  of  salad  or  radishes.  The  brown  mustard  seed  is 
the  best  for  grinding  :  it  is  a  palatable  and  healthy  condiment,  and  may 
be  sown  broadcast  or  in  drills,  and  kept  clean  from  weeds.  Mustard  is 
now  cultivated  extensively  as  a  field  crop,  by  sowing  it  broadcast  or  in 
drills  from  one  foot  to  eighteen  inches  apart.  Mow  it  when  ripe,  and 
cure  it  like  grain  or  hay,  and  thresh  out  the  seed  in  a  grain  thresher.  It 
yields  from  ten  to  fifteen  bushels  per  acre,  worth  $3  00  to  $4  00  per  bush- 
el. It  is  a  great  exhauster  of  the  land  when  grown  for  seed,  and  requires 
a  rich  soil.  It  is  sometimes  plowed  in  green  to  enrich  the  land.  When 
sown  in  drills,  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  quarts  of  seed  are  enough  per 
acre,  broadcast  it  would  require  four  quarts  per  acre. 

Price,  #3  00  to  $5  00  per  bushel. 

Nasturtium. — The  flowers  and  young  leaves  are  used  as  a  salad.  The 
seed-pods  are  gathered  while  green  and  tender,  and  pickled. 

Okra. — This  vegetable  is  used  in  soups  and  stews,  and  deemed  unusu- 
ally wholesome.  Plant  in  May  or  June,  in  hills  two  or  three  feet  apart, 
allowing  two  or  three  plants  to  stand  in  a  hill.  The  seed  is  liable  to  rot 
in  the  ground,  and  should  be  put  in  thickly  to  secure  the  requisite  quantity 
of  plants.     Very  rich  ground  is  demanded  by  this  vegetable. 

Parsley. — Sow  early  in  the  spring,  in  rows  or  beds.  If  the  seed  is 
soaked  in  warm  water  some  hours  immediately  before  sowing,  it  will 
vegetate  more  speedily.  It  is  not  uncommon  for  it  to  lie  in  the  ground 
two  or  three  weeks  before  it  vegetates  if  not  well  soaked  previous  to 
sowing. 

Parsnips. — This  root  is  among  the  most  valuable  raised  for  farm  stock. 
They  require  a  deep,  rich,  loose  soil,  and  may  be  sown  about  the  same 
distance  from  each  other  as  carrots.  The  seed  need  not  be  soaked  before 
sowing ;  but  it  should  be  put  in  the  ground  early,  while  the  ground  is  wet, 
which  will  ensure  its  immediate  vegetation.  Unlike  all  other  roots,  ex- 
cept the  artichoke,  the  parsnip  may  remain  in  the  ground  throughout  the 
winter,  without  injury  from  frost ;  but  care  is  requisite  for  the  removal  of 
all  standing  water  from  the  ground  over  them,  or  decay  will  inevitably 
follow.     About  two  lbs.  of  seed  are  required  per  acre. 

Price,  50  to  75  cts.  per  lb. 

Peas. — These  are  adapted  to  almost  any  dry  soil ;  yet  they  will  give  a 
much  greater  yield  on  rich,  than  on  moderately  fertile  laud.  As  with 
beans,  fresh  dung  is  not  so  good  for  them.  They  will  bear  a  much  hea- 
vier soil  than  the  bean,  good  clays  being  highly  favorable  to  their  growth. 
The  lands  intended  for  peas  should  be  prepared  by  fall  plowing,  and  the 
seed  may  be  sown  on  the  field  as  soon  as  the  land  is  sufficiently  settled 
in  the  spring  after  the  heavy  frosts.  They  may  be  sown  either  broadcast 
or  in  drills,  and  harrowed  or  plowed  in  two  or  three  inches  deep.  In  the 
latter  case  they  will  admit  of  light  plowing  or  harrowing  immediately  af- 
ter they  are  up,  by  which  weeds  may  be  exterminated  and  the  growth  of 
the  crop  be  measurably  promoted.  Where  the  sod  is  eminently  adapted 
to  them,  and  the  seeds  take  well,  the  broadcast  sowing  is  equally  pro- 
ductive and  efficient  in  preventing  weeds,  as  their  vigorous  growth  effect- 
ually overshadows  the  weeds  and  keeps  them  in  subjection.  The  best 
kinds  for  field  sowing  are  the  grass  pea,  and  marrow-fat  is  the  best  kind 
for  garden  culture.  Earlier  kinds  should  be  selected  in  part  for  the  gar- 
den.    Sow  at  the  rate  of  two  to  four  bushels  per  acre. 

Price,  $1  00  to  $i  00  per  bushel. 

Pepper. — Sow  each  kind  in  drills,  on  a  warm  border  late  in  spring  or 


64      HORTICULTURAL  AND  AGRICULTURAL  TOOLS. 

commencement  of  summer,  and  thin  them  to  stand  16  or  18  inches  apart. 
Or  they  may  be  sown  early  in  the  season  in  a  frame  or  flower-pot,  and 
transplanted. 

Potatoes. — This  root  is  the  product  of  almost  every  soil,  although 
a  dry,  rich  one  is  best  suited  to  them.  A  sod  turned  over  in  the  pre- 
ceding autumn,  so  as  to  become  well  rotted  in  the  spring  after  the 
grass  has  well  started,  is  perhaps  the  best  suited  to  give  a  fair  yield,  and 
at  the  same  time  a  line,  healthy,  well  matured  return.  They^may  be 
planted  in  hUls  or  drills,  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  cultivator. 
Whole  potatoes  of  a  medium  size  are  better  for  planting  than  small,  or 
large  cut  ones.  They  should  be  well  hilled  up  in  hoeing.  The  hills  may 
be  about  three  or  three  and  a  half  feet  apart ;  or  if  in  drills,  they  may  be 
three  and  a  half  feet  asunder,  and  the  potatoes  placed  about  ten  inches 
apart.  There  are  a  variety  of  choice  potatoes  which  are  at  times  popu- 
lar in  different  parts  of  the  country,  and  which,  from  the  introduction  of 
new  and  favorite  varieties,  or  the  older  ones  becoming  poor  bearers,  or 
from  other  causes,  fall  into  disuse.  Among  the  best  of  the  present  time 
may  be  mentioned  the  kidney,  the  pink  eye,  the  carter,  the  mercer,  &c. 
It  requires  from  twelve  to  twenty  bushels  of  seed,  for  planting,  per  acre. 

Price,  50  cts.  to  $2  00  per  bushel. 

Pumpkins. — This  is  a  valuable  field  crop  for  fall  and  early  winter  feed- 
ing, for  cattle,  sheep,  and  swine.  It  is  usually  planted  among  corn  and 
potatoes,  which  is  a  good  practice.  But  it  may  be  advantageously  grown 
by  itself  on  a  rich,  dry,  well  pulverized  soil,  planting  in  hills,  at  a  distance 
of  six  to  seven  feet  apart  each  way.  The  cultivator  can  do  all  the  work 
for  them.    The  large  yellow  pumpkin  is  the  best. 

Price,  $2  00  to  $4  00  per  bushel. 

Radish. — They  should  be  sown  early  in  the  spring,  in  a  warm  situation. 
The  land  should  be  well  manured,  deeply  dug,  and  raked  free  from  clods 
and  stones.    For  a  succession  of  crops  sow  once  in  two  weeks. 

Rhubarb. — This  is  cultivated  for  the  stalk  of  the  leaf,  which  possesses 
an  agreeable  acidity,  and  resembles  the  gooseberry  when  made  into  pies 
or  tarts  ;  it  is  an  excellent  substitute,  as  it  is  fit  for  use  before  green  fruit 
can  be  had.    The  roots  continue  vigorous  many  years. 

Ruta  Baga,  or  Swedish  Turnip. — This  may  be  sown  broadcast  on  land 
prepared  similarly  to  beets,  and  then  thinned  out  with  the  hoe,  or  sown 
in  drills.  The  former  method  is  preferable  in  one  respect,  as  it  gives  a 
much  larger  supply  of  food  to  the  turnip  beetle  or  fly,  which  may  still 
leave  enough  for  the  farmer  after  it  has  eaten  his  fill,  or  if  it  is  cut  off  by 
drought  or  the  fly,  it  leaves  sufficient  time  for  resowing.  Early  sowing 
is  best,  as  it  insures  a  good  crop  of  large  roots ;  with  proper  attention  and 
soaking  the  seed  hi  the  most  offensive  curriers'  oil  for  two  or  three  days, 
and  then  rolling  in  plaster,  is  a  help  to  the  young  plant,  as  they  both  as- 
sist its  rapid  growth,  and  the  oil  is  nauseating  to  the  insects  in  its  first 
tender  leaves,  which  are  most  liable  to  destruction.  About  one  and  a 
half  lbs.  per  acre  of  seed  is  required.         Price,  50  cts.  to  $1  00  per  lb. 

Salsify,  or  Vegetable  Oyster. — The  roots  are  boiled  like  carrots  as  a 
vegetable  dish,  or  after  being  parboiled  made  into  cakes,  with  paste, 
and  fried  like  oysters,  which'they  closely  resemble  in  both  taste  and  flavor. 
Cultivated  in  all  respects  like  the  carrot. 

Sorrel. — The  garden  sorrel  is  used  as  a  salad.  Sow  in  June,  in  drills, 
and  thin  the  plants  to  twelve  inches  apart. 


FERTILIZERS.  65 

Spinach. — Sow  at  any  time  of  the  year  when  the'ground  is  in  a  proper 
condition  to  be  worked.  It  produces  thick,  succulent  leaves  of  a  large 
size.  May  be  sown  either  broadcast  or  in  drills.  For  spring  and  sum- 
mer use,  sow  as  early  as  the  ground  can  be  tilled,  and  afterwards  at 
short  intervals.  For  winter  and  early  spring  use,  sow  middle  of  autumn. 
The  latter  sowing  will  need  a  sprinkling  of  straw  or  long  manure  on  the 
arrival  of  cold  weather.  Spinach  is  one  of  those  vegetables  for  which 
the  ground  cannot  be  too  rich  ;  the  stronger  it  is  the  more  succulent  will 
be  the  leaves,  and  of  course  the  more  delicate  and  tender. 

Squash. — Cultivate  the  same  as  cucumbers  and  melons. 

Tomato. — For  early  use  sow  in  hot-beds  and  transplant  into  warm  soil, 
setting  the  plants  in  rows  three  feet  apart. 

White,  or  English  Turnip. — This  crop  is  raised  most  successfully  ou 
newly  cleared  land,  which  is  well  coated  with  ashes  and  charred  vege- 
table matter ;  or  on  a  fresh  sod  which  has  been  long  in  grass  and  turned 
over  the  last  of  May  or  early  in  June,  and  on  which  sheep  have  been 
folded  till  they  have  covered  it  well  with  manure.  Good  seed  sown  ou 
this,  after  thorough  replowing  and  harrowing  till  it  is  sufficiently  mellow, 
at  the  rate  of  one  and  a  half  lbs.  per  acre,  and  brushed  in,  will  generally 
insure  a  good  crop.  Price,  30  to  50  cts. 

For  further  particulars  on  the  culture  of  grass,  grain,  and  roots,  we 
would  refer  to  the  American  Agriculturist,  where  the  most  minute  direc- 
tions may  be  found  for  all  these  different  kinds  of  crops. 


FERTILIZERS. 

We  shall  merely  treat  of  such  fertilizers  as  are  usually  kept  on  sale,  and 
in  doing  this  it  is  impossible  to  give  anything  more  than  brief,  general 
directions,  as  climate,  the  nature  of  soil,  the  crop  to  be  raised,  and  many 
other  particulars  must  be  taken  into  consideration  in  their  proper  appli- 
cation. Great  waste  is  often  made  in  applying  manures.  For  example, 
bone  dust,  where  there  may  already  be  sufficient  of  the  phosphates  in  the 
land ;  lime,  where  the  soil  is  full  of  it ;  plaster,  where  potash  is  more  re- 
quisite, &c,  &c.  In  such  cases  these  manures  have  little  or  no  effect,  and 
in  a  measure  are  lost  to  the  land.  Barn-yard  manure,  peat,  and  muck 
are  often  applied  to  wheat  and  other  small  gram  crop6,  when  they  only 
serve  to  injure  the  grain  by  forcing  a  large  growth  of  straw.  Grass,  corn, 
and  roots  will  take  any  kind  and  quality  of  manure  without  injury ;  and 
as  a  general  rule,  the  small  grains  should  succeed  these  crops,  at  which 
time  ashes,  plaster,  bones,  or  lime  may  be  applied  j  and  if  the  soil  be 
poor,  a  top  dressing  of  guano,  rotted  barn-yard  manure,  or  composts  of 
fish  with  peat  and  muck,  may  be  added.  For  minute  descriptions  of  all 
these  points,  we  would  again  refer  to  the  American  Agriculturist. 

Ashes. — These  may  be  used  leached  or  unleached,  with  good  effect  at 
all  seasons,  and  on  all  kinds  of  soils,  though  they  best  suit  lands  of  alight 
sandy  or  gravelly  nature.  From  ten  to  one  hundred  bushels  per  acre  are 
applied.  Grass  and  turnips  are  most  benefited  by  them,  and  they  have  a 
marked  effect  on  corn,  wheat,  aud  other  small  grains.  They  should  be 
spread  on  grass  lands  early  in  the  spring,  or  just  after  mowing ;  be  put 
round  the  stalks  of  corn  after  the  first  or  second  hoeing ;  spread  broad- 
cast over  the  turnip  crop  after  sowing,  or  be  bushed  in  with  the  seed  ; 
and  applied  in  the  same  way  to  wheat,  rye,  and  other  small  grains,  in  the 
fall  or  spring.  Anthracite  coal  ashes  have  lately  been  experimented  upon, 
and  found  to  have  a  marked  effect  on  grass  and  corn.  Price  of  wood 
5 


66  FERTILIZERS. 

ashes,  10  to  13  cts.  per  bushel  in  this  market ;   anthracite  ashes  may  be 
had  for  the  gathering. 

Bone  Dust. — This  substance  may  be  applied  precisely  like  ashes,  ex- 
cept not  in  so  large  quantities ;  ten  to  thirty  bushels  per  acre  is  the  most 
that  we  could  recommend.  Its  effect  on  Indian  corn  is  not  as  good  as 
ashes.    It  best  suits  grass,  wheat,  and  turnips. 

Price,  40  to  45  cts.  per  bushel. 
Sawings  of  bone  are  fifty  per  cent  more  powerful. 

Price,  50  to  55  cts.  per  bushel. 

Charcoal  Dust. — This  also  may  be  applied  like  ashes,  and  in  any  quan- 
tity, from  ten  to  two  hundred  bushels  per  acre.  It  is  a  great  absorber  of 
moisture  and  ammonia  from  the  atmosphere,  and  is  therefore  particularly 
valuable  on  light  soils.  Keep  it  as  near  the  surface  as  possible.  It  is  an 
admirable  mixture  in  composts  of  all  kinds,  especially  such  as  abound  in 
putrescent  manures.  It  fixes  the  ammonia  in  them,  and  takes  away  all 
unpleasant  smell. 

Guano.-—  Caution  in  application. — Be  very  careful  to  place  the  guano  so 
that  it  will  not  touch  the  embryo,  or  young  roots,  or  stalks  of  corn,  po- 
tatoes, cabbages,  tobacco,  sugar  cane,  cotton,  or  any  plant  that  has  but 
one  stem  from  its  root ;  for  it  is  of  such  a  burning  nature,  that  if  a  por- 
tion no  larger  than  a  small  pea  comes  in  contact  with  the  plant,  before 
being  watered  or  rained  on,  or  undergoing  partial  decomposition,  it  in- 
stantly kills  it.  With  grass  and  small  grains  this  caution  is  not  impor- 
tant, as  other  shoots  from  the  roots  will  immediately  supply  the  place  of 
those  killed. 

Preparation. — Before  using  guano,  pass  it  through  a  fine  sieve,  and  all 
lumps  remaining  break  up,  and  these  pass  through  the  sieve.  Now  take 
at  least  four  times  its  bulk  of  sand,  or  dry  sandy,  or  light  loamy  soil,  and 
pass  this  through  a  coarser  sieve,  if  you  have  one,  and  mix  it  in  layers 
with  the  guano.  Let  this  compost  lie  a  few  days — several  weeks  would 
be  better — then  toss  it  over  and  beat  up  well  together,  and  it  will  be  fit  for 
use.  Some  prefer  mixing  the  guano  with  ten  or  twenty  times  its  bulk  of 
soil  for  a  compost,  and  do  not  take  the  trouble  of  sifting  it,  but  mix  them 
together  in  alternate  layers  as  well  as  it  can  be  done  with  a  shovel.  Sift- 
ing, however,  is  best,  as  it  is  done  so  much  more  evenly.  Sawdust  is  an 
excellent  material  with  which  to  mix  guano ;  but  powdered  charcoal  is 
perhaps  the  best  of  all,  as  it  fixes  the  ammonia,  absorbs  its  unpleasant 
smell,  and  is  in  itself  an  excellent  manure.  When  convenient  to  be  ob- 
tained, plaster  of  Paris  ought  to  be  used  in  the  compost,  at  the  rate  of 
thirty  to  fifty  lbs.,  for  every  one  hundred  lbs.  of  guano ;  it  acts  in  the  same 
way  as  charcoal.  Lime  and  ashes  must  be  avoided  in  composts,  as  they 
rapidly  expel  the  ammonia,  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  guano.  Muck, 
if  possible,  should  not  be  used  for  the  compost,  as  it  is  too  moist  and  te- 
nacious to  form  a  proper  mixture.  The  same  objection  holds  good  against 
clay  or  any  tenacious  soil.  Nevertheless,  if  there  be  no  other  soil  at  hand, 
muck  or  clay  may  be  thoroughly  dried  and  pulverized,  and  then  used. 
Guano  should  not  be  mixed  with  barn-yard  manures,  or  indeed  with  any 
moist  substance,  as  these  cause  it  to  undergo  the  very  decomposition  re- 
quisite to  promote  vegetation.  The  compost  should  be  made  under  cover, 
unless  the  weather  be  dry.  Rain  would  be  quite  injurious  to  it,  in  hasten- 
ing the  decomposition  of  the  guano,  and  expelling  its  ammonia  in  the 
atmosphere. 

Quantity  Applied  per  Acre. — This  depends  upon  the  kind  of  soil  and  its 
condition,  and  the  kind  of  crop  to  be  grown.  From  two  hundred  and  fifty 
to  four  hundred  lbs.  of  guano  per  acre  is  the  safest  quantity  to  apply.  It 
acts  quickest  in  a  light  sandy  soil  or  loam,  and  is  excellent  to  start  crops 
on  cold,  moist  land.    It  hastens  the  ripening  of  crops  on  all  kinds  of  soil. 


FERTILIZERS.  67 

Guano  should  be  spread  broadcast  upon  grass  lands,  early  in  the  spring, 
and  directly  after  mowing.  On  grain,  early  in  the  spring,  or  in  the  au- 
tumn directly  after  being  sown.  When  applied  to  corn,  either  pure  or  in 
compost,  a  table  spoonful  or  so  may  be  put  into  each  hill,  and  a  little  dirt 
thrown  oyer,  and  then  drop  the  seed,  or  it  may  be  hoed  in  round  the  corn 
the  first  time  hoeing.  Apply  it  in  the  same  way  to  peas,  beans,  potatoes, 
and  other  root  crops,  melons,  &c. 

Steeps  and  Liquids.— For  one  pound  of  guano  use  five,  ten,  or  even  twen- 
ty gallons  of  water;  or  at  the  same  rate  for  a  smaller  proportion.  Stir  it 
up  well  and  cover  over  the  vessel  tight,  so  as  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the 
ammonia,  and  let  it  remain  from  one  to  three  days  before  being  used. 
Now  water  around  (not  upon)  the  plants  as  occasion  may  require.  If  this 
liquid  touches  the  plant,  or  its  leaves,  it  is  apt  to  burn  it.  Previous  to 
watering,  stir  the  earth  well  around  the  plant.  Corn  and  other  seeds  may 
be  steeped  in  this  liquid  from  three  to  twenty-four  hours  before  so  win"-. 
It  then  comes  up  unusually  quick  and  grows  rapidly. 

Price,  2  to  3  cts.  per  lb.,  according  to  the  quality. 

Lime.— This  may  be  applied  at  any  season,  at  the  rate  of  twenty  to 
two  hundred  bushels  per  acre  ;  but  we  would  prefer  moderate  doses  of 
not  over  fifty  bushels,  and  put  it  on  the  oftener.  Like  charcoal,  it  does 
best  kept  near  the  surface,  and  in  other  respects  may  be  applied  like  it. 
It  best  suits  a  clayey  or  loamy  soil ;  its  efficacy  on  light  sands  and  gravel 
is  much  doubted.  Lime  is  easily  kept  in  large  heaps  in  the  open  air  by 
throwing  a  little  water  on  the  top,  which  slakes  sufficient  to  make  a  fine 
smooth  crust  over  the  whole.  This  soon  dries  hard,  and  forms  a  roof  im- 
pervious to  the  rain.  When  the  lime  is  to  be  used,  the  heap  is  broken 
into  near  its  base,  and  whatever  is  wanted  is  taken  out,  and  another  crust 
formed  over  this  broken  part  in  the  same  way  as  above.  There  is  very 
great  difference  in  lime,  and  an  analysis  of  it  should  be  required  before 
purchasing,  as  some  qualities  are  three  times  as  valuable  as  others.  It 
may  be  had  in  this  vicinity,  at  three  and  a  quarter  to  four  cents  per  bushel, 
air  slaked,  delivered  on  board  vessel,  in  bulk,  the  only  cheap  way  to' 
transport  it  in  any  considerable  quantity.  About  thirty-three  bushels  go 
to  the  ton. 

Plaster  of  Paris. — Sow  this  broadcast  upon  grass  or  grain,  early  in 
the  spring,  at  the  rate  of  two  or  three  bushels  per  acre.  It  requires  to  be 
sown  early,  so  as  to  have  the  benefit  of  moisture,  and  to  ensure  its  de- 
composition. It  best  suits  clover,  and  is  very  good  for  potatoes  and  tur- 
nips. On  corn  it  has  little  effect.  Price,  $2  50  to  $3  50  per  ton,  unground. 
Ground,  and  in  barrels  of  250  to  300  lbs.,  $1  25  to  $1  50  per  bbl. 

Poudrette. — This  is  an  excellent  manure  to  start  corn  and  other  pro- 
ducts, and  give  them  a  quick  growth,  but  its  effects  are  not  lasting ;  a 
second  dose,  therefore,  ought  to  be  added  at  the  second  time  hoeing 
Two  or  three  barrels  are  enough  for  one  acre.  For  corn  put  one  gill  into 
the  hill,  over  or  under  the  seed,  when  planted.  Potatoes  shoidd  have 
two  gills  per  hill,  and  other  crops  in  proportion.  For  soaking  seeds,  dis- 
solve in  the  proportion  of  one  quart  of  poudrette  thoroughly  in  a  gallon 
of  water,  to  an  extent  sufficient  for  the  purpose  required,  and  then  soak 
the  grain  or  seed  in  the  solution  according  to  its  nature — as  more  particu- 
larly given  in  the  following  instructions.  The  soaking  must  take  place 
immediately  before  planting  or  sowing.  By  this  previous  operation  the 
corn,  grain,  or  other  seeds,  will  start  sooner,  be  stronger,  and  less  liable 
to  attack  from  worms  or  birds.  But  if  kept  in  the  solution  too  long  it 
may  injure  the  germinating  quality  of  the  grain  or  seed.  It  will  increase 
the  yield,  and  the  liquid  after  the  soaking  has  taken  place,  may  be  ap- 
plied to  anything  in  the  garden  or  on  grass  ground.  The  seed  after  it 
comes  out  of  the  liquid  may  be  rolled  in  ashes,  plaster,  or  sand,  to  sepa- 


68  FRUIT   TREES. 

rate  them.  Price,  $1  To  to  $2  25  per  barrel,  according  to  the  quantity 
taken.  Every  farmer  may  make  his  own  poudrette  by  mixing  the  faeces 
with  peat  or  muck,  or  by  drying  it  with  charcoal  dust,  or  plaster  of  Paris. 
Either  of  these  substances  takes  away  all  unpleasant  smell. 

Salt. — This  may  be  used  at  the  rate  of  five  to  forty  bushels  per  acre, 
though  five  to  fifteen  bushels  is  better.  It  is  inoperative  applied  near  the 
seashore,  where  salt  water  or  spray  is  already  in  excess  on  the  land  ;  but 
everywhere  else  it  is  beneficial,  ft  can  be  sown  broadcast  on  the  land, 
or  be  incorporated  in  the  manure  or  compost  heap.  Mixed  with  lime 
and  its  compounds,  it  undergoes  decomposition,  producing  soda  or  its 
combination  with  carbonic  acid,  or  with  humus,  all  more  powerful  digest- 
ers or  feeders  than  the  salt  itself;  and  the  muriate  of  lime,  which  has 
the  strongest  attraction  for  moisture  of  almost  anything  known.  Salt  and 
lime  work  vegetable  matters  to  decay  quicker  than  salt  alone.  With  plas- 
ter it  will  supply  soda  and  sulphuric  acid  cheaper  than  any  other  mate- 
rial, besides  the  muriate  of  lime,  so  valuable  for  its  moistening  quality. 

In  1839  Ave  commenced  a  series  of  experiments  with  salt ;  but  soon  af- 
ter, being  called  to  a  distant  part  of  the  country,  and  returning  to  our  farm 
only  at  long  intervals,  they  were  not  carried  out  with  that  particularity 
with  which  they  ought  to  have  been.  Sufficient,  however,  was  known  to 
prove  that,  applied  at  the  rate  of  ten  bushels  per  acre  to  grass  and  vege- 
tables, it  made  them  much  more  sweet  and  nutritious,  and  added  as  near 
as  it  could  be  estimated,  about  one  fifth  to  the  first  crop  of  grass  cut  for 
hay,  and  full  one  half  to  the  growth  of  the  aftermath,  and  increased  the 
vegetable  crop  about  one  fourth  in  its  yield.  When  sail  can  be  obtained 
cheap  we  recommend  its  use.  We  have  seen  thousands  of  gallons  of 
fish  and  other  brine  thrown  away  in  our  towns  and  cities,  which  would 
be  well  worth  saving,  and  adding  to  the  manure  heap. 

Price,  25  to  30  cts.  per  bushel  for  the  common  kind  by  the  cargo. 


FRUIT  TREES. 

For  the  directions  on  transplanting  and  pruning,  be- 
low, we  are  chiefly  indebted  to  the  catalogue  of  Messrs. 
Parsons  and  Co.,  of  Flushing,  from  which  we  have  copied  them  with 
slight  additions  and  alterations. 

Transplanting. — It  is  frequently  the  case  that  a  tree  which  has  received 
all  the  care  and  attention  which  can  be  bestowed  upon  it  by  the  most  ex- 
perienced nurseryman,  is  transplanted  to  a  soil  of  very  inferior  character, 
and  being  thus  stunted  in  its  growth  is  the  frequent  cause  of  dissatisfac- 
tion to  the  purchaser.  The  planter  should  therefore  bear  in  mind  that, 
with  the  exception  of  very  fertile  alluvial  bottoms,  like  those  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, &c,  it  is  difficult  for  the  soil  in  which  a  tree  is  planted,  to  be  too 
rich,  and  that  the  rapidity  of  its  growth,  and  its  subsequent  productive- 
ness, are  very  much  influenced  by  the  proportion  of  fertilizing  matter  con- 
tained in  the  soil. 

Before  planting  an  orchard,  the  ground  should  be  thoroughly  subsoiled  or 
trench  plowed,  to  the  depth  of  eighteen  inches  or  two  feet.  This  is  always 
done  ill  Europe,  but  scarce  ever  thought  of  in  the  United  States  ;  and  yet 
we  consider  it  the  first  and  most  important  operation  in  the  preparation 
of  ground  for  an  orchard,  unless  it  be  so  rocky  as  to  render  this  impos- 
sible. 

After  the  trees  are  set  out  the  ground  should  be  well  cultivated,  and  if 
a  poor  soil,  as  highly  manured  as  the  means  of  the  cultivator  will  admit. 
It  is  impossible  for  a  tree  to  flourish,  as  it  should,  when  the  roots  are  sur- 
rounded and  covered  with  a  thick  sod.  When  the  tree  is  isolated,  as  in  a 
garden  or  lawn,  a  rich  compost  of  earth  and  manure  should  be  dug  in 


FRUIT  TREES.  G9 

around  it,  care  being  taken  that  no  pure  manure  be  allowed  to  come  im- 
mediately in  contact  with  the  roots.  The  ground  about  these  also,  for  the 
space  of  two  or  three  feet,  should  be  kept  mellow  until  the  tree  is  of  large 
size ;  and  it  would  also  be  well  to  dig  in  a  portion  of  manure  about  the 
roots  every  spring. 

Many  of  the  most  experienced  cultivators  regard  the  fall,  immediately 
after  the  first  hard  frost  has  arrested  the  growth,  as  the  best  season  for 
transplanting  every  variety  of  trees  but  evergreens,  which  should  be  plant- 
ed in  the  spring.  Where,  however,  it  is  not  convenient  for  the  cultivator 
to  give  them  attention  in  the  fall,  deciduous  trees  may  be  deferred  until 
spring.  In  sections  where  the  cold  is  somewhat  severe,  as  on  the  west- 
ern lakes,  and  in  some  parts  of  New  England,  it  is  more  safe  to  plant  in 
the  spring  the  stone  fruits  and  pears;  and  if  they  are  imported  in  the  fall, 
to  keep  them  in  a  diy  cellar  until  spring. 

The  reason  for  the  preference  for  the  autumn  is  obvious :  when  trees  are 
transplanted  at  that  season,  the  earth  becomes  during  the  winter  properly 
settled  about  the  roots,  and  they  are  ready  to  throw  out  fibres  in  the 
spring.  The  spring  is  preferred  for  evergreens,  for  the  reason  that  their 
period  of  hibernation  differs  from  that  of  deciduous  rrecs,  and  experience 
has  shown  that  they  succeed  best  when  thus  planted.  When  a  tree  is  re- 
moved, great  care  should  be  taken  to  preserve  the  roots  uninjured  and 
entire  ;  if  this  precaution  has  not  been  observed,  the  top  should  be  les- 
sened in  proportion  to  the  loss  sustained  by  the  roots. 

When  the  tree  has  been  some  time  out  of  the  ground,  it  is  well  to  im- 
merse the  bodies  and  roots  in  water  for  about  twenty-four  hours ;  this 
will  much  benefit  it,  and  advance  its  vegetation.  The  holes  for  receiving 
them  should  be  sufficiently  large  to  admit  the  roots  without  crowding  or 
bending, — from  three  to  six  feet  in  diameter,  and  from  one  to  two  feet 
deep,  according  to  the  size  of  the  trees.  The  subsoil  should  be  entirely 
renioved  to  this  depth,  and  its  place  filled  with  rich  mould,  well  combined 
with  compost  or  manure  fully  fermented.  All  bruised  or  broken  roots 
should  be  shortened  and  smoothly  pared  with  a  knife.  Let  a  person  hold 
the  tree  upright,  while  the  operator  pulverizes  the  earth,  and  scatters  it 
among  the  roots.  Let  the  tree  be  shaken  gently  while  this  is  being  done, 
and  let  the  earth  be  carefully  filled  in  around  every  root,  even  the  smallest 
fibre  ;  it  is  all-important  that  the  soil  should  come  in  contact  witli  every 
portion  of  the  root.  When  the  hole  is  three  quarters  filled,  pour  in  a  few 
gallons  of  water,  according  to  its  size,  and  after  it  has  settled  away  fill  up 
the  hole,  pressing  the  earth  around  the  tree  with  the  foot.  Earth  watered 
in  this  way  will  retain  its  humidity  a  long  time,  while  water  poured  on 
the  surface,  after  the  hole  is  filled,  is  very  injurious,  causing  the  top  of  the 
soil  to  bake  to  such  a  degree  as  to  prevent  the  access  of  air  and  moisture, 
both  of  which  are  highly  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  the  tree.  When 
the  weather  is  very  dry,  put  straw,  hay,  leaves,  or  even  fine  brush,  if 
nothing  else  is  to  be  had,  round  the  bodies  of  the  newly  transplanted 
trees,  to  retain  the  moisture.  This  is  infinitely  better  than  watering  them. 
One  of  the  most  universal  and  fatal  errors  in  plantingtreea  is  placing  them 
too  deep;  we  have  known  many  fine  and  thrifty  trees  die  from  this  eause 
alone;  they  should  not  he  planted  more  than  an  inch  deeper  than  they 
stood  in  the  nursery,  and  if  the  frost  is  likely  to  heave  them  the  first  win- 
ter, a  small  mound  can  be  heaped  about  the  stem,  to  be  removed  again 
in  the  spring. 

In  attending  to  the  preceding  suggestions,  we  feel  assured  that  the  cul- 
tivator will  be  amply  repaid  for  any  extra  trouble  or  expense,  by  the  con- 
sequent increased  growth,  beauty,  or  productiveness  of  the  tree. 

SOILS    PROPER    FOR    DIFFERENT    KINDS    OF    FRUIT. 

The  Apple. — This  will  succeed  on  almost  any  soil  not  too  wet ;  a  rich 
gravelly  loam  will,  however,  ensure  the  finest  trees  and  fruit.   For  garden 


70  FRUIT   TREES. 

cultivation,  we  have  always  on  hand  a  moderate  quantity  of  apples  on 
dwarf  or  Paradise  stocks,  but  the  best  place  for  this  tree  is  the  orchard. 
Before  planting,  the  ground  should  be  well  cultivated  and  mellowed,  with 
corn  or  potatoes,  and  enriched,  if  necessary,  with  a  good  quantity  of  ma- 
nure. After  the  trees  are  planted,  the  orchard  should  be  kept  in  cultiva- 
tion for  some  years,  and  even  after  the  trees  become  large  and  are  in  full 
bearing  condition,  the  ground  should  not  be  kept  in  grass  more  than  three 
or  four  years  successively.  Some  few  years  since  an  old  orchard  of  our 
own  almost  ceased  bearing,  or  bore  only  small  and  imperfect  fruit,  while 
several  varieties,  including  the  Newtown  pippin,  exhibited  every  symp- 
tom of  deterioration  and  premature  decay,  that  is  apparent  in  the  Virga- 
lieu  pear.  We  immediately  broke  up  the  sod,  cultivated  the  ground  with 
corn  and  potatoes,  and  applied  a  heavy  dressing  of  manure,  when  the 
following  year  we  were  rewarded  with  a  fine  crop  of  perfectly  sound  ap- 
ples, the  Newtown  pippins  being  of  immense  size,  and  entirely  free  from 
the  least  symptom  of  blight  or  decay ;  nor  have  such  symptoms  made 
their  appearance  since  that  time.  Where  there  is  leisure,  it  is  a  good  plan 
to  thin  out  the  fruit  when  the  crop  is  too  abundant. 

The  Cherry. — This  does  best  in  a  dry,  rich  soil,  but  bears  abundantly 
even  in  stiff  clays,  when  well  drained. 

The  Pear. — This  succeeds  best  on  a  rich,  clayey  loam,  with  a  gravelly 
subsoil,  but  will  grow  and  bear  fruit  on  even  a  poor  soil,  provided  it  is 
not  too  wet.  A  heavy  clay  soil  should  always  be  avoided,  unless  well 
drained,  as  this  is  known  to  be  very  retentive  of  moisture,  and  is  fre- 
quently so  highly  saturated  as  greatly  to  injure,  if  not  to  kill  the  tree. 

The  Plum. — A  clayey  soil  well  drained,  or  rich  loam,  best  suits  the 
plum. 

The  Peach. — A  sandy  or  light  gravelly  soil,  not  over  rich,  is  decidedly 
the  best  for  the  peach,  though  we  have  seen  it  flourish  very  well  in  a 
warm  climate  in  rolling,  clayey  soils,  where  no  surface  water  could  re- 
main to  their  injury. 

Pruning  and  Training. — All  trees  require  more  or  less  pruning.  With 
young  trees  the  knife  is  required  to  form  a  symmetrical  head,  to  induce 
luxuriance  of  growth,  and  to  cause  early  fruit  bearing.  Bearing  trees  in 
orchards  also  require  frequent  pruning,  to  relieve  the  tree  of  all  branches 
which  are  weak  and  crowd  upon  others,  or  uselessly  consume  the  nour- 
ishment afforded  by  the  root.  It  is  also  frequently  required  to  check  too 
great  luxuriance  of  growth,  which  often  induces  disease  and  seriously 
affects  the  longevity  of  the  tree.  Care  and  judgment,  however,  are  ne- 
cessary, and  there  may  be  often  danger  of  too  much  pruning.  When  a 
tree  is  healthy,  produces  well,  not  too  much  crowded  in  its  branches,  and 
free  from  suckers  on  its  boughs,  it  will  in  general  require  very  little  prun- 
ing. No  suckers  should  be  allowed  to  grow  from  the  root,  as  they  divert 
a  material  portion  of  the  sap  from  the  branches.  There  is  much  question 
respecting  the  proper  season  for  pruning,  but  our  experience  is  very  de- 
cided that  the  early  part  of  summer  is  the  best ;  the  sap  being  then  in  full 
operation,  the  wounded  part  quickly  heals  over,  while  in  winter  the 
branch  to  which  the  knife  has  been  applied  will  be  frequently  found  dead 
several  inches  below  the  wound. 

Pruning,  to  induce  early  fruit  bearing,  may  be  advantageously  practised 
when  the  growth  is  so  luxuriant  that  few  or  no  blossom  buds  are  formed. 
In  this  case  the  branches  only  are  frequently  shortened,  and  the  sap  being 
accumulated  in  a  smaller  portion  of  wood,  forms  fruit  buds.  We  have 
seen  pear  and  apple  trees  of  great  age  in  France  and  Belgium,  which 
were  pruned  to  a  pyramid al  form,  and  presented  a  mass  of  fruit  spurs, 


FRUIT  TREES.  71 

while  the  branches  would  scarcely  cover  a  space  of  six  feet  in  diameter. 
The  most  effective  mode  of  pruning,  however,  is  applied  to  the  roots.  We 
have  seen  this  mode  practised  successfully  in  the  grounds  of  T.  Rivers,  an 
English  nurseryman,  to  whose  kindness,  during  repeated  visits  to  his 
establishment,  we  are  indebted  for  much  valuable  information  respecting 
his  modus  operandi.  He  digs  a  trench,  early  in  November,  around  his  fruit 
trees  to  be  root  pruned,  then  cuts  off  the  roots  with  a  sharp  spade  or  knife 
made  for  the  purpose,  and  then  applies  manure.  By  continuing  this  prac- 
tice every  year,  he  not  only  obtains  early  fruitfulness,  but  brings  his  trees 
into  so  compact  a  shape,  that,  being  planted  live  to  eight  feet  apart,  a  sort 
of  miniature  orchard  may  be  formed  on  a  comparatively  small  piece  of 
ground. 

The  Quenouille  mode  of  pruning  and  bending  down  of  the  limbs  we 
have  seen  practised  in  France  and  Belgium  with  much  success.  By  it  the 
circulation  is  impeded,  nutritious  matter  accumulates,  and  flower  buds 
are  formed.  The  branches  are  bent  down  and  tied  below  the  horizontal 
line  any  time  during  summer,  while  the  shoots  are  flexible,  and  after  be- 
ing thus  confined  a  short  time,  retain  themselves  this  pendent  position. 
This  is  a  most  certain  mode  of  inducing  fruitfulness,  but  though  very  or- 
namental, is  a  somewhat  troublesome  form  of  tree.  In  Great  Britain,  and 
on  some  parts  of  the  Continent,  where  they  have  not  the  heat  of  our  Sum- 
mers, fruit  trees  are  trained  as  espaliers,  either  upon  a  trellis  or  upon  walls, 
and  it  is  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  large  gardens,  as  those  of  the  King, 
at  Versailles,  divided  into  numerous  small  compartments  by  brick  walls, 
on  which  are  trained  a  variety  of  fruit  trees.  In  our  fine  climate  this  is 
unnecessary,  and  nearly  all  trees  will  succeed  well  as  standards.  In  some 
localities,  it  is  well  known  that  the  curculio  prevails  more  than  in  others. 
Where  such  is  the  case  the  farmer  or  gardener  may  advantageously  cover 
all  his  stone  Avails  or  wooden  fences  with  plums,  peaches,  apricots,  or 
nectarines.  When  trained  in  this  way,  the  curculio  will  not  readily  at- 
tack ,them.  We  know  of  a  number  of  plum  trees  in  our  vicinity,  which 
for  ten  years  or  more  had  always  lost  their  whole  crop  by  the  ravages  of 
this  insect.  When,  however,  transplanted  and  placed  against  a  wall, 
they  matured  a  fine  crop  of  beautiful  fruit  the  first  year.  When  trees  are 
planted  thus  against  a  wall  or  fence,  it  is  well  to  have  them  a  year  old, 
and  to  train  the  branches  either  horizontally,  or  in  the  fan  mode,  in  which 
the  branches  are  made  to  radiate  from  the  root  as  a  common  centre.  We 
are  so  convinced  of  the  utility  of  fences  as  preventives  of  curculio,  that 
we  contemplate  erecting  a  quantity  of  wooden  wall  for  fruiting  those 
kinds  which  are  subject  to  its  ravages. 

Rexarks. — We  intended  to  have  given  a  select  list  of  Fruit  Trees  in  this 
catalogue,  but  we  find  that  these  vary  so  much  in  different  latitudes  that 
it  would  be  of  little  use  to  our  readers  ;  we  beg,  therefore,  to  refer  them 
to  the  catalogues  of  the  Nurserymen  for  this,  as  well  as  many  other  things 
we  are  obliged  to  omit  for  want  of  space.  For  the  same  reason  we  can- 
not treat  of  other  fruits,  such  as  the  apricot,  nectarine,  fig,  raspberry, 
gooseberry,  currant,  strawberry,  &c,  &c, 

Orders. — It  is  very  desirable  that  all  orders  should  be  sent  very  early  in 
the  season,  that  we  may  have  as  much  notice  as  possible,  and  send  the 
trees  to  their  destination  at  an  early  period  after  the  opening  of  the  season 
of  transplanting.  For  want  of  care  on  this  head,  many  orders  arrive 
when  it  is  no  longer  safe  to  take  up  trees,  and  are  necessarily  left  over 
until  the  next  season.  We  would  urge  upon  the  attention  of  Southern 
and  Western  purchasers,  the  great  importance  of  sending  their  orders  as 
early  as  August  or  September.  In  the  spring,  vegetation  is  often  far  ad- 
vanced at  the  South  and  West,  before  the  frost  will  allow  the  trees  to  be 
taken  up  at  the  East ;  and  if  sent  at  that  season,  they  frequently  vegetate 
on  the  passage,  and  cause  great  loss  to  the  purchaser.  In  the  fall  no  dif- 
ficulty of  this  kind  will  occur,  and  trees  are  annually  sent  to  the  far  west- 
ern States  at  that  season  with  entire  success.    The  utmost  care  is  taken 


12  DOMESTIC  ANIMALS. 

to  label  distinctly,  according  to  the  invoice  sent,  every  variety  of  tree  or 
plant  ordered;  they  are  packed  in  matted  bundles  or  boxes,  according  to 
the  distance  and  probable  exposure,  for  which  a  reasonable  charge  will 
be  made. 

ORNAMENTAL  TREES  AND  SHRUBS. 

These  can  be  had  of  every  variety.  To  fully  treat  of  them  would  re- 
quire a  large  book  ;  we  therefore  recommend  our  readers  to  the  catalogues 
of  Nurserymen,  and  books  upon  these  subjects.  It  is  gratifying  to  ob- 
serve an  increased  attention  throughout  the  country  to  these  beautiful  ob- 
jects of  nature  ;  and  that  tastefully  arranged  grounds,  adorned  with  trees 
and  shrubbery,  are  now  considered  indispensable  around  the  family  man- 
sion, however  humble  it  may  be.  The  rudest  log  cabin  is  an  object  of 
interest,  and  a  picturesque  feature  in  the  landscape,  when  embowered 
by  trees  or  shrubbery  ;  and  for  these,  nothing  is  more  beautiful  than  such 
as  abound  in  our  own  native  forests  and  fields,  so  that  all  that  is  required 
for  this  purpose  is  merely  to  transplant  them.  Few  can  say  that  they 
have  not  time  for  this. 

DOMESTIC  ANIMALS. 

Our  advice  to  the  purchasers  of  domestic  animals  is.  to  always  choose  good  ones, 
even  at  a  much  higher  price  than  ordinary;  for  with  select  males  one  can 
rapidly  breed  good  ordinary  stock  from  rather  indifferent  females  of  the  country. 
The  cost  of  transportation,  and  the  keep  afterwards,  is  no  more  on  a  good  ani- 
mal than  a  poor  one  ;  and  there  is  the  additional  satisfaction  about  their  pos- 
session, that  one  has  something  for  his  money  worth  breeding  from. 

Season  for  Purchasing  and  Shipping  South. — The  best  season  for  pur- 
chasing is  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  as  stock  is  then  not  only  cheaper  but  more 
plenty.  Orders  if  possible,  should  be  addressed  us  at  least  two  mouths  before  it 
is  wished  to  have  them  executed,  so  as  to  give  sufficient  time  and  opportunity 
to  look  about  and  make  selections.  For  want  of  this  we  are  often  obliged  to 
execute  orders  at  great  disadvantage  to  the  purchasers.  It  must  be  recollected, 
also,  that  our  rivers  freeze  up  early  in  December,  making  it  quite  impossible  to 
procure  choice  stock  after  this  period,  as  most  of  die  good  breeders  reside  at  a 
considerable  distance  from  the  City  in  the  interior  of  the  country.  Many  an 
order  for  stock  which  has  come  to  us  in  the  winter  we  could  not  execute  till 
the  folio-wing  autumn.  We  hope  our  southern  friends  will  bear  this  particu- 
larly in  mind,  as  it  will  save  them  disappointment,  and  us  considerable  trouble. 

September,  October,  and  November,  are  the  best  seasons  for  shipping  stock 
south,  as  the  animals  acclimate  much  better  than  when  sent  out. in  the  spring. 
It  is  very  hazardous,  and  almost  certain  death,  to  take  cows  or  bulls  south  at 
any  other  season,  for  the  following  reason  :  The  average  pulse  of  the  ox  is 
about  forty  in  a  minute  at  the  North,  while  at  the  South  it  increases  to  seventy 
or  more,  and  rises  upon  excitement  to  eighty — just  double  what  it  is  here.  This 
is  a  very  important  change  in  the  arterial  system,  and  if  the  animal  be  loaded 
with  flesh,  he  is  much  more  liable  to  disease  and  death.  They  should  be  shipped 
in  moderate  condition,  and  carefully  kept  so,  the  first  year  or  two.  Valuable 
animals  have  died  soon  after  arriving  at  the  South,  merely  because  they  were 
in  too  high  flesh,  when  taken  there,  and  foolishly  kept  so  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a  better  show.  They  must  be  stabled  at  night  as  well  as  during  the 
heat  of  the  day,  for  the  dews  are  as  injurious  to  them  as  a  fierce  vertical  sun. 

Horses. —  Thorough-breds  may  be  bought  at  various  prices,  from  $200  up  to 
£5,000,  according  to  their  age  and  reputation  on  the  course,  and  as  breeders. 
We  have  had  the  advantage  of  looking  over  much  of  the  blood  stock  in  Eng- 
gland,  and  some  on  the  continent,  and  though  not  a  sporting  man,  we  trust  we 
should  be  able  to  give  satisfaction  in  any  purchases  we  might  make  of  hlooi*. 
itock. 


DOMESTIC   ANIMALS. 


73 


Roadsters — from  15  to  16 J  hands  high,  vary  in  price  according  to  their 
style,  action,  and  speed.  Single  horses  that  can  go  a  mile  in  4  minutes,  or  ten 
miles  in  an  hour,  will  command  from  $200  to  $500 ;  such  as  can  do  a  mile  iu 
about  3  minutes,  and  14  miles  in  an  hour,  are  held  at  $300  to  $700;  while 
those  still  laster,  are  worth  from  $500  to  $1500,  according  to  circumstances. 
Some  of  the  fastest  sporting  horses  sell  as  high  as  $3,000  to  4,000  each.  Match 
horses  are  held  under  the  same  circumstances  and  prices  as  single  horses.  Good 
handsome  pairs,  six  years  old  or  so,  may  be  had  Irom  $500  to  $600  ;  superior, 
from  $700  to  $1500  according  to  fancy.  The  expense  of  shipping  a  fine 
horse  South  is  high.  The  items  are  something  thus  :  Stall  on  deck  must  in- 
variably be  built  at  shipper's  expense,  costing  from  88  to  $15.  Freight,  $20 
to  $30;  feed  $7  to  $12.  When  a  number  are  taken  the  expense  is  proportion- 
ably  lessened.  A  groom  should  always  accompany  horses,  as  no  dependence 
can  be  placed  upon  any  one  on  board  ship,  to  take  care  of  them. 


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74 


DOMESTIC  ANBIALS. 
Durham  Cow.— (Fig.  116.) 


Devons.  —  The  same  may  be  said  of  the  Devons  as  of  the  Hereford?,  ex- 
cept they  are  not  so  large  in  size  by  one  fourth.  Being  a  smaller  breed 
than  the  two  others  above,  they  are  well  adapted  for  the  light  pastures  of 
the  South.     Prices  25  per  cent  "less  than  Durhams  or  Herefords. 

Merino  Buck. — (Fig.  117.) 


DOMESTIC  ANIMALS.  75 

Good  milking  cows  for  family  use  are  worth  from  $40  to  $50  ;  very  su- 
perior and  well  bred,  $60  to  $75  each. 

Freight  of  cattle  South,  from  $10  to  $15  each  ;  feed,  $6  to  $10.  Stalls 
are  generally  necessary  for  their  accommodation,  and  cost  from  $8  to  $12 
each,  according  to  the  size  of  the  animal. 

Sheep.— Fine  Wooled  —The  Saxons  have  the  finest  fleeces,  but  are  smaller 
than  the  Merinos.  Ewes  yield  from  two  to  three  lbs.  per  head,  of  clean 
washed  wool ;  bucks  from  four  to  six  lbs.  Bucks  are  worth  from  $15  to 
$50  ;  ewes,  $5  to  $15.     When  a  number  are  purchased  they  come  cheaper. 

Merinoes.— In  this  class  the  Rambouillets  stand  the  highest.  They  are 
the  largest  in  size  of  any  fine  wooled  sheep,  shear  the  heaviest  fleeces, 
weighing  from  four  to  fourteen  lbs.  clean  washed,  according  to  the  sex, 
&.c,  and  of  a  quality  only  one  grade  inferior  to  the  Saxony.  No  ewes  of 
this  breed  will  be  for  sale  probably  before  the  year  1850.  Bucks  can  be 
had  for  $50  to  $300  each,  according  to  age,  quality,  &c. 

Native  Merinoes  may  be  had  from  $10  to  $100  each.  They  are  valuable 
sheep,  shear  about  one  fifth  less  than  the  Rambouillets,  and  of  a  quality 
of  wool  one  grade  inferior. 


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76 


DOMESTIC  ANIMALS. 
Saxon  Buck.— (Fig.  119.) 


South  Down  Buck. — (Fig.  120.) 


mmm     i         V~.ThlS  1S,  a  Very  hardy  breed  of  sheep,  with  the  best  of 

SSSfcw'M?3"*  T]Jm°y-    Their  hams'  when  Pr°Perly  cured'  can 
scarcely  be  told  from  the  finest  venison.     They  shear  from  three  to  eight 

ids.  per  head,  of  clean  wool,  according  to  the  sex,  &c,  of  a  medium 


DOMESTIC   ANIMALS.  77 

quality,  very  open  and  easily  worked,  and  especially  suitable  for  planta- 
tion use.  \\re  wish  the  planters  could  get  more  into  the  habit  of  eating 
mutton  ;  it  is  much  healthier  than  pork,  especially  in  a  hot  climate,  and 
to  our  taste  it  is  infinitely  more  palatable.     Price,  #10  to  $20  each. 

Cost  of  Shipping  Sheep  South. — Freight  from  $2  to  $5  each,  according  to 
the  number,  size,  &c. ;  feed,  $1  to  $3.  Stalls  are  an  extra  charge.  If 
thirty  to  fifty  sheep  were  taken  they  could  be  shipped  at  a  moderate  ex- 
pense per  head. 


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Price,  caged,  $15  to  S20  per  pair.  Older  ones  come  much  higher,  say 
#15  to  30  each.  Freight  $4  to  $6  per  pair.  Feed  $2  to  #4.  according  to 
the  length  of  the  voyage  South 


78 


POULTRY. 

Dorking  Fowls.— (Fig.  122.) 


Poultry— The  Dorking  Fowls  are  among  the  largest  kind,  weighing 
iiom  6  to  12  lbs.  each,  according  to  sex.  Their  flesh  is  superior;  they 
a-e  hardy,  good  layers,  and  good  nurses.  The  Polands  are  of  medium 
sze,  very  beautiful,  with  large  topknot,  and  the  greatest  layers  of  any 
laown.  Prices  of  fancy  poultry  vary  greatly  according  as  they  are  in 
narket,  plenty  or  scarce.  To  cost  of  the  fowls  must  be  added  from  $1  to 
$1  50  per  pair  for  feed  on  the  voyage,  and  expenses  of  shipping. 

Dorking  Fowls,  large  size, per  pair, $5  00  to    5  00 

Java, " 3  50  to    4  00 

Malay, " 2  50  to    3  50 

Polands,  medium  size, *' 2  50  to    3  50 

Bantams,  small  size,   " 1   00  to    2  00 

Turkeys,  pure  white,  and  others, " 3  50  to    4  00 

Small  China  geese, " 4  00  to    5  00 

Large     do.      do " 5  00  to    8  00 

Bremen  do.      do " 3  00  to    4  00 

Wild       do.       do " 5  00  to    8  00 

Guinea  or  African  do.,  very  large, . . . . " 10  00  to  15  00 

Ducks  of  different  kinds, " 2  00  to    5  00 

Pigeons,  Fantails, " 1  00  to    2  50 

Tumblers " J  00  to    2  §0 

Pouters, " 4  00  to    7  00 

Carriers, " 5  00  to  20  00 

Rabbits,  according  to  variety,  $1  00  to  $10  00. 

For  further  particulars  we  must  refer  to  the  American  Agriculturist,  and 
books  published  on  these  subjects. 


CONCLUSION. 


79 


Observation. — Something  must  always  be  allowed  for  the  expense  of 
detention  of  animals  in  the  city,  from  the  time  of  their  arrival  to  the  sail- 
ing of  the  ship,  as  it  is  impossible  to  calculate  this  matter  exactly.  We 
conclude  by  saying,  that  before  any  one  orders  stock  they  should  take 
into  consideration,  the  following  three  things :  First,  be  completely  pre- 
pared to  keep  and  breed  them.  Second,  select  none  but  the  best,  and 
these  with  a  reference  to  improve  what  you  already  have.  ■  Third,  have 
some  faithful  person,  if  possible,  to  accompany  and  take  care  of  them. 
This  last,  however,  is  not  essentially  important;  for  out  of  the  hundreds 
of  animals  we  have  shipped  West  and  South,  we  scarce  recollect  one 
that  did  not  arrive  safely  at  its  place  of  destination,  we  took  such  good 
care  in  shipping  and  providing  for  them  on  the  voyage. 

Anderson's  Patent  Hammer. — (Fig.  123.) 

This  is  a  recent  invention ;  the  claw, 
as  will  be  seen  by  the  cut,  extending  to 
the  handle  and  clasping  it  with  a  strong 
ring,  which  makes  it  impossible,  in 
drawing  nails,  for  the  handle  to  give 
way,  draw  out,  or  become  loose.  The 
face  of  the  patent  hammer  will  thus 
always  remain  true,  it  being  kept  at  the 
same  angle  with  the  handle.  VVe  con- 
sider this  a  very  great  improvement, 
and  we  think  it  will  supersede  all  others 
now  in  use.  These  hammers  are  made 
of  cast  steel  of  the  best  kind,  and  in  a 
very  superior  manner.  Further  de- 
scription seems  unnecessary,  as  the  cut 
shows  all.     Six  different  sizes  are  now 

weighing  from  half  a  pound  to  one  and  a  half  pounds.    The  price 

according  to  size,  from  75  cts.  to  $1  00  each. 


made, 
varies 


PRODUCE  ON  CONSIGNMENT. 

We  are  prepared  to  receive  all  kinds  of  Agricultural  Produce  for  sale 
on  commission ;  grain,  seeds,  beef,  pork,  lard,  cotton,  sugar,  rice,  tobac- 
co, hemp,  wool,  &c,  &c, 


CONCLUSION. 

All  orders  for  goods,  &c,  must  be  addressed  us,  post  paid,  and  accom- 
panied with  the  money,  or  a  draft  at  sight,  or  acceptance,  on  some  re- 
sponsible house  in  this  city,  Boston,  Philadelphia,  or  Baltimore. 

The  direction  for  the  goods  must  be  written  out  in  full,  in  a  clear,  legi- 
ble hand,  otherwise  mistakes  and  delays  are  liable  to  occur. 

Insurance  will  be  effected  at  the  lowest  rates  whenever  desired. 

Any  other  kind  of  goods  wanted  for  the  farm,  plantation,  house,  or 
family  use,  will  be  purchased  on  the  best  terms,  as  we  are  conversant  with 
most  kinds  of  merchandise,  and  have  facdities  for  executing  orders  not 
surpassed  by  any  other  house  in  this  city. 


80 

COMMERCIAL  GARDEN  AND  NURSERY 

OF 

FLUSHING,  NEAR  JV.  Y. 

The  Proprietors  desire  to  call  attention  to  this  extensive  establishment, 
which  is  now  probably  the  largest  in  the  Union,  covering  an  area  of  over 
forty  acres,  and  compactly  planted  with  more  than  600,000  trees,  shrubs, 
plants,  &c. 

The  very  rapidly  increasing  taste  for  Horticultural  pursuits,  producing  a 
demand  for  new  and  rare  fruits,  ornamental  trees,  and  plants,  has  rendered 
necessary  a  systematized  arrangement  for  the  importation  of  all  that  is 
new  and  desirable. 

Fortius  purpose,  the  Proprietors  have  personally  inspected  all  the  prin- 
cipal public  and  private  Horticultural  Establishments  in  Britain,  France, 
and  Germany,  and  have  perfected  arrangements,  by  which  they  will  re- 
ceive immediately  on  its  appearance,  everything  that  is  new  and  valuable. 
The  Fruit  Department  comprises  the  finest  varieties  of  apples,  pears, 
cherries,  plums,  peaches,  nectarines,  apricots,  grapes,  figs,  quinces,  mul- 
berries, persimmons,  papaws,  medlars,  walnuts,  currants,  raspberries, 
strawberries,  gooseberries,  berberries,  cranberries,  esculent  roots,  Sec,  all 
of  which  are  of  superior  size  and  quality,  and  will  be  furnished  by  whole- 
sale at  reduced  rates.  They  would  particularly  call  attention  to  the  Bri- 
tish Queen,  Prince  Albert,  Swainstone,  and  other  new  varieties  of  straw- 
berry, which  they  have  imported,  and  to  the  very  superior  new  Fastolff 
raspberry. 

The  Ornamental  Department  includes  the  different  varieties  of  ma- 
ples, ashes,  horse-chestnuts,  poplars,  oaks,  lindens,  elms,  beeches,  mag- 
nolias, mountain  ashes,  pines, firs,  and  a  large  collection  of  all  the  known 
hardy  deciduous  and  evergreen  trees,  among  which  are  the  Chinese 
ailantus,  sUver-leaved  abele,  European  larch,  tulip-tree,  white  fringe, 
flowering  ash,  Judas-tree,  Chinese  Kolreuteria,  Venetian  sumach,  balsam 
fir,  white  spruce,  arbor  vitse,  &c,  &c,  and  Norway  spruces  of  different 
sizes  at  very  reduced  rates. 

They  would  call  attention  to  their  beautiful  specimens  of  Paulownia 
imperialis,  Cedrus  deodara,  Juniperus  excelsa,  Abies  morinda,  Pinus 
excelsa,  Pinus  halepensis,  Picea  cephalonica,  Cupressus  Tournefortii, 
Cupressus  torulosa,  and  other  new  and  valuable  kinds  of  evergreens. 

There  is  not  space  to  enumerate  the  different  species  in  their  collection 
of  ornamental  and  flowering  shrubs,  vines,  creepers,  honeysuckles,  aza- 
leas, pa:onies,  hyacinths,  crocuses,  and  other  bulbs  and  herbaceous  plants. 
Their  collection  comprises  over  600  kinds  of  roses,  of  esteemed  and  dis- 
tinct character.  Among  these  are  all  the  varieties  of  the  hybrid  perpetu- 
als,  a  class  of  roses  perfectly  hardy,  combining  beauty  with  fragrance, 
and  blooming  from  spring  till  autumn. 

The  trees  cultivated  at  this  establishment  are  straight  and  thrifty,  and 
from  their  exposed  situation  they  are  sufficiently  hardy  for  removal  to 
much  higher  latitudes. 

The  attention  of  amateurs  and  others  is  particularly  directed  to  the 
fruit  grounds  of  this  establishment,  in  which  will  be  found  bearing  speci- 
mens of  all  the  varieties  of  fruit  which  they  cultivate.  Visitors  are  also 
invited  to  inspect  their  vineries,  in  which  are  more  than  100  varieties  of 
Foreign  grapes,  which  will  be  in  bearing  in  1846. 

Having  perfected  an  arrangement  with  an  extensive  exotic  establish- 
ment in  the  neighborhood,  the  proprietors  will  be  able  to  supply  any 
variety  of  green-house  or  stove  plants.  Orders  may  be  addressed  to  the 
Proprietors,  at  Flushing,  N.  Y.,  and  catalogues  can  be  obtained  by  appli-  ■ 
cation,  post  paid,  to  themselves,  to  Parsons  &  Lawrence,  10  Pine  St.,  or 
A.B.  Allen,  187  Water  St.,  N.  Y. 


